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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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vi 


V 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)  872-4503 


4^0 


i/j 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  mav  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  fJIming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


□ 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

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Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire} 

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modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  f ilmage 
sont  indiquto  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
0 
D 
0 
D 
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D 
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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fiimi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


X 

12X 


16X 


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24X 


28X 


32X 


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Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 

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beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

IS/laps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film«  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g4n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  «t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  film6.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  an 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  fiim^s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  ie 
cas:  le  symbols  — *>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Up 


«\ 


^ 


) ) 


See  pngo  205. 


0     i^ 


LETTERS 


FROM 


'      VAN   DIEMAN'S  LAND, 

WRITTEN   DURING 

FOUR    YEARS   IMPRISONMENT 

FOR 

POLITICAL  OFFENCES 

COMMITTED   IN 

UPPER  CANADA. 


M 


BY  BENJAMIN   WAIT. 


"It  is  belter  to  fail  in  striking  for  bo  noble  a  thing  as  libertT) 
than  not  to  strike  at  all;  for  reform  never  dies." — Bacon. 


XMBODVING,    ALSO,  LETTERS  DESCRIPTIVE  OF  PERSONAL   APPEALS  IN 

BEHALF   OF   HER    HUSBAND,  AND  HIS   FELLOW  PRISONERS,  TO 

THE  EARL   OF  DURHAM,  HER  MAJESTY,   AND  THE  UNITED 

LEGISLATURE   OF  THE   CANADAS, 


•i* 

i 


BY  MRS.  B.   wait. 


BUFFALO: 
A.  W.  WILGUS 


1843. 


\: 


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Ft 
isr 


y 


*..  * 


•1, 


*i 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congresa,  in  the  year  1843|  by 

ALFRED    W.    WILGUS, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Northern  District  of  New-Tork. 


/f^y/ 


REMARKS  FOR  THE  READER. 


Afl  tbc  author  of  tlir'--y  pngcs,  I  would  ref'pcctrully  intimate  to 
the  render,  tbnt,  nt  my  commrncli.g  them,  it  wno  wholly  foreign 
to  the  orif»inal  pTnn,  to  embody  nny  thing  fnrlhcr  tbnn  the  mere 
inciderits  attending  the  conimiitntiori  of  my  primnry  pentcncc,  the 
tranaportation  to  Van  Dicmnn'a  Land,  via  England;  an  account 
of  circumstances  coming  under  my  observation,  during  two  years 
residence  there,  a  description  of  the  face  of  the  country,  and  a 
brief  history  of  its  diccoverVj  itssetllcment,  the  prominent  features 
ofitsBoil,  itsforebte,  and  it3  climate;  v/ith  tbc  character  of  its  gov- 
ernment, Ub  iMhabitnnl0,  its  prif^on  discipline,  and  the  treatment 
the  Canadian  pviliticnl  ofTcndcre  have  received;  with  a  detail  of 
circumstances  in  connexion  with  Mri^.  Wait's  arduoius  etrugglee, 
given  by  hcrfsclf.    But,  by  the  repeated  urgent  requcetp  if  many 
gentlemen,  kindly  intcreotcd,  I  have  been  induced  to  give  n  brief 
detail  of  some  of  tbo  leading  cau3ei9  of  complaint  which  more  di- 
rectly led  to  immediate  insurrection  in  Uiiper  Canada.     For  this 
purpose  I  have  not  conoidcrcd  it  nccecsary  to  go  farther  back  than 
1835;  and  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  the  application  of  "exparte" 
to  the  Bfatemontf?,  (a3  has  been  usual,  of  late,  to  all  publications 
of  such  a  nature,)  I  have  given  nothing  but  what  will  be  found  on 
the  recordd  of  the  parliament,  and  in  Lord  Durham's  able  report 
upon  Canadian   matters.     It  is,  indeed,  true,   there  have  ma- 
ny accurate  details  of  our  grievances  gone  forth  to  the  public,  that 
I  am  eorry  to  find,  are  "not  generally  di6.3eminatcd,"  which  has 
been,  unhappily,  the  caee  with  General  McLcod's  authentic  his- 


i 


m 
^ 


lY 


REMARKS  FOR  THE  READER. 


tory  of  Canadian  mattcra,  grievances,  and  the  engagements  during 
tbo  ineurrectionary  movements;  and  I  would  hero  beg  leave  to 
recommend  it  to  the  candid  perunal  of  every  person  who  wishes 
An  impartial  detail  of  the  causes  that  led  to  the  revolt,  and  a  re- 
lation of  facts  connected  with  the  unsuccessful  strugt^lc. 

In  respect  to  the  reprehensible  conduct  of  the  Earl  of  Durham, 
on  his  first  assuming  the  reins  of  government,  which  was  so  deci- 
dedly at  variance  with  the  mild  and  conciliatory  policy  he  subse- 
quently so  emphatically  urged  the  British  government  to  pursue 
towards  the  North  American  Colonies,  I  would  remark,  that  hc| 
in  common  with  most  other  English  noblemen,  had  sulfered  his 
mind  to  imbibe  false  impressions  of  Canada,  derogatory  to  the 
respectability  of  the  character,  honor,  education,  and  intelligence 
of  its  inhabitants,  by  the  perusal  of  such  partial  statements  as  we 
have  often  found  flowing  from  the  pens  of  the  Lieutenant  Gov- 
crnor'si  For  instance,  Sir  F.  B.  Head,  in  an  oificial  despatch, 
describes  Canada  ''as  exceeding  by  only  one  third,  the  population 
of  the  single  parish  of  Marylebone,  in  London,  and  its  in  comcdoes 
not  equal  the  private  fortune  of  many  an  English  Commoner." 
''Mechanics,  in  groups,  are  seen  escaping  from  it  in  every  direc- 
tion, as  if  it  were  a  land  of  famine  and  pcatilence.  Indeed,  every 
expectation  for  relief  from  internal  industry,  is  hourly  diminishing. 
She  stands  like  a  healthy  young  tree  that  has  been  girdled,  with 
its  drooping  branches,"  &c.  &c.  Indeed,  all  the  sources  through 
which  Colonial  information  must  proceed,  to  command  credit  and 
attention,  had,  far  many  years,  been  thoroughly  poisoned;  and  nil 
Downing  street  justice  corrupted,  to  afford  opporl unify  for  plun- 
dering the  Colonial  treasures  with  impunity.  For  instance,  as 
declared  by  Lord  EUicc,  "the  trade  act  imposes  duties  to  an  ex- 
tent quite  equal  to  the  amount  required  for  the  civil  government 
of  both  Provinces,  tcWiout  consulting  with  either  of  the  Provincial 
Legislatures."  Again — "Certainly  the  Canadians  conijjlain  with 
apparent  reason,  against  the  conduct  of  this  government.  For 
instance,  a  Receiver  General  is  appointed  in  England,  with  insuf- 
ficient securities;  the  assembly  suggest  the  regulation  of  his  of- 
fice; but  they  ore  told  that  this  is  an  encroachment  on  the  pre- 
rogatives of  the  crown.  The  Receiver  fails,  in  debt  to  the  public 
^400,000;  and,  forsooth,  they,  (the  assembly,)  must  levy  fresh 


REMARKS  FOR  THE  READER. 


laxcfl  to  meet  it.  In  like  mnnncr  regarding  Shori'".,  two  of 
whom  have  lulcly  become  defaulters,  one  in  the  sum  of  $108,000 
ofsiiitors  money.  Thowe  are  not  theoretical,  but  practical  evils, 
that  form  just  grounds  of  complaint." 

The  Colonini  oHico  incumbent,  as  n  matter  of  course,  expects 
to  nett  a  K"o<1  pay  for  "his  short  and  arbitrary  reign;**  conse- 
quently tluir  Liciitcnnnt  Governors,  before  despatched,  are  taught 
well  their  "mimic  parte,"  and  "play  into  his  hand"  without 
dreading  conRoqucnceH;  for  it  is  a  eacred  truth,  that  among  all  the 
Ex-Governors,  they  who  had  tyrannised  over  the  poor  Canadians 
with  the  most  "absolute  sway,"  and  were  the  most  deserving  of 
imiioachniciit,  were  sure,  on  their  arrival  in  England,  to  have 
pnpHcd  ill  their  favor,  an  act  of  indemnity,  screening  them  from  the 
crrorn  of  tluir  niiptr<n'ernmcnt.  Through  these  excessively  cor- 
rupted modiuiiiH  alDpn,  all  credible  information  must  come  to  the 
peojjle  of  Englnnd,  and  nil  np-.ilications  to  Her  Majesty,  or  they 
will  be  indignantly  rejected.  Hcnco  the  unaccountable  irregu- 
larity and  provnricalion,  api)arent  in  all  the  public  accounts,  and 
the  governor's  positive  rofiienl  to  lay  before  the  parliament,  the 
books  containing  them. 

We  cannot,  then,  be  surprised,  to  find  Lord  Durham,  arriving 
from  England,  in  an  unfavorable  bias  of  judgment,  armed  with 
dictatorial  powers,  engage  in  a  series  of  arbitrary  acts  not  at  all 
cone-ietcnt  with  equity;  yot  not  nl'ogether  illiberal,  and  in  no 
mcaaure  sanguinary,  if  we  rightly  /"insider  the  political  disorder 
reigning  parainount  in  the  country  at  the  time.  His  first  and 
correct  imi)reesiono  are  emphatically  developed  in  the  following 
short  extract  from  his  lirst  despatches  to  the  Colonial  Minister: 

"My  Kolo  purpose  is,  to  impress  upon  your  lordship  my  own 
conviction,  which  has  been  formed  by  personal  experience,  that 
even  the  beat  informed  persons  in  England  can  hardly  conceive 
the  disorder  or  disorganization,  which,  to  a  careful  enquirer  on  the 
spot,  is  manifeet  in  all  things  pertaining  to  government  in  these 
Colonies;  such  words  scarcely  express  the  whole  truth,  not  gov- 
ernment, merely,  hwi  society  itself  seems  to  be  dissolved.  The 
vessel  of  state  is  not  in  great  danger,  only,  but  looks  like  a  com* 
plete  wreck." 


▼I 


REMARKS  FOR  THE  READER. 


Tho  policy  this  noblemnri  rcconuncndcd  in  bio  excellent  roport, 
is  now  being  pursued  in  the  Cnnadaa  with  consuiurablo  eclat  and 
aaiisfaclion  to  tho  people. 

But  I  beg  the  rendcr'H  pardon,  ns  thoHO  rcmarka  are  growing 
too  lengthy.  I  will,  therefore,  at  once,  introduce  him  to  tho 
coDBceutivo  evidences  I  havo  before  mentioned,  which  must 
form  the  introduction. 


INTRODUCTION 


Previous  to  entering  upon  the  incontestable  evidence 
I  proposed  in  the  pvefaratory  pages,  to  deduce  from 
authentic  documents,  I  would  answer  the  question  so 
frequently  asked,  viz:  "of  what  did  Canada  complain?'' 
and  then  proceed. 

Canada  complained  of  the  absence  of  all  security 
for  life  and  property — of  taxation  without  representa- 
tion-—o/* /Ac  destruction  of  the  Uberttj  of  the  press — of 
packed  juries — of  a  judiciary  bribed  by,  and  entirely 
dependent  upon  the  crown — of  the  profligate  waste  of 
the  public  revenues  among  swarms  of  foreign  offi- 
cials— of  an  illegal  distribution  of  the  public  lands 
among  herds  of  foreign  stock-jobbers,  to  the  injury 
and  degmdation  of  the  industrious  agriculturists  and 
immigrant — of  education  for  the  rich  and  none  for  the 
poor — of  a  dominant  government  established  church — 
of  an  annihilation  of  the  Colonial  constitution — of  a 
total  want  of  responsibility  in  the  government  party. 
In  a  word— of  the  existence  of  an  arbitrary,  arrogant, 
vindictive,  and  fraudulent  oligarchy,  which  is  now 
happily  exchanged  for  a  more  liberal  and  responsible 
experiment. 


If  iMaouLcnoN. 

n  X  r  II  A  C  T  S 

KKOM    CANADIAN  rAlU.IAMKN TAIIY    OCX.  I  .Mt.NT*. 

Tlio  Bcvciitli  report  of  tlio  ♦*('oinmitlee  on  Ciricvan- 
ccs,*'  to  the  honorriMc  th<;  Commons  the  Ffcusoof  As- 
sembly, in  April,  of  1835,  says  that,  "  *In  1S*28  a 
select  commiltco  of  the  House  of  Commons  (iKpiired 
into  the  causes  of  these  embarrassujcnls'  and  discon- 
tents, which  had  for  many  years  ))revailed  in  the 
Canudas.  This  committee  conclude  their  report  hy 
slating  their  anxiety  to  record  their  complete  cojivic- 
tion,  that  nfjithcr  the  suggesticnis  they  huvo  presumed 
to  make,  nor  any  other  improvement  in  the  laws  and 
institutions  of  the  Canadas,  will  be  attended  with  the 
desired  cflect,  unless  an  imjiartial,  conciliatory,  and 
constitutional  form  of  government  bo  observed  in  those 
loyal  and  important  Colonies.' 

**ThQ  almost  unlimited  extent  of  the  patronage  of 
the  Crown,  or  rather,  of  the  Colonial  Minister,  for 
the  time  being,  and  his  advisors  Iiere,  together  with 
the  abuse  of  that  patronage,  arc  the  chief  sources  of 
Colonial  discontent.  Such  is  the  patronage  of  the 
Colonial  Office,  that  the  granting  or  withholding  of 
supplies  is  of  no  political  importance,  unless  as  an 
indication  of  the  opinion  of  the  country  concerning 
the  character  of  the  government,  which  is  conducted 
upon  a  system  that  admits  its  officers  to  take  and  ap- 
ply the  funds  of  the  Colonists  without  any  legislative 
vote  whatever. 

**This  patronage,  as  now  exercised  in  the  Province, 
includes  the  payment  of  gifts,  salaries,  pensions,  and 


U  1. 


r<.  J  t, . 


INTRODUCTION. 


retired  allowances  to  the  various  Clorgios  and  civil 
otliccrs  of  the  govf.rninont.  The  heads  of  tlu;  several 
dopartnicMts  are  all  in  subordinatn  stations  undcir  them, 
and  hold  their  situations  only  during  the  pleasure  of 
the  Crown.  It  also  rinl)racos  tho  judicial  estahlish- 
nirnt,  the  nomination  ot'one  branch  of  tho  legislature, 
the  a|)pointuient  of  its  spr  aker  and  tho  other  ofiic(^rs, 
the  S(,'h:ction  of  th:;  ollicers  of  the  House  of  Assembly, 
the  control  <»f  th"  Indian  (lej)artun'nl — the  colleges, 
tho  twelve  boards  of  education,  and  tlu?  direction  of 
the  expenditure  of  tlie  public  monies  in  aid  of  imriiigra- 
tion — tlio  selection  of  the  executive  couneil — the  un- 
controlled management  of  millions  of  acn^s  of  public 
lands — the  apjiointmeut  of  l,r>00  commissioned  mi- 
litia officers — tho  sole  control  of  the  military  and  na- 
val forces — and  the  expenditure  of  a  largo  aimual 
amount  of  local  taxation,  by  appt)inting  the  magi.stracy 
during  [)lcasure. 

**Tho  Crown  also  appoints  tho  members  of  the  court 
of  King's  Rcncli;  and  the  judjf<es  of  that  court  regulate, 
at  their  discretion,  the  tarilf  of  lucs  to  bo  paid  tix  rein 
by  suitors.  These  judges  arc  dependent  on  the  Crown 
for  such  retiring  pensions  as  it  may  see  fit  to  award 
them,  and  enabled  to  look  forward  with  hope  and 
expectation,  to  tho  enjoyment  of  other  oftices  and 
situations  within  its  gift,  by  themselves  and  their 
families. 

**The  Canada  company,  and  the  several  incorpora- 
tions for  banking,  canalHng,  &c.,  nearly  all  unite 
with  the  local  government,  and  steadily  strive  to 
increase  the  influence  of  the  Crown. 


:| 


I>  «»•-'.'' 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


**The  Post  Office,  with  its  hundred  deputies,  and 
contracts,  are  all  un^^er  its  sole  control,  while  the  surplus 
revenue  is  transmitted  to  England.  No  detailed  account 
of  its  receipts  and  expenditures  have  ever  been  laid 
before  the  Colonial  Legislature,  though  often  requested. 

*'The  salaries  and  emoluments,  paid  to  civil  and 
judicial  officers,  appointed  by  the  Crown,  extend  to 
JE50,000,  or  ^i200,000  a  year,  (exclusive  of  the  clergy 
grants,)  the  whole  being  raised  from  the  people,  and 
not  one  farthing  derived  from  England. 

"The  yearly  salary  of  the  present  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor, Sir  John  Colborne,  with  his  other  public  sources 
of  emolument,  is  about  8*22,524.  And  his  private 
secretary  gets  $3,232.  John  H.  Dunn,  receiver  gene- 
ral, $;5,770.  P.  Robinson,  surveyor  of  woods,  $6,884; 
with  all  other  officers,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
receiving  salaries  in  the  same  proportion. 

"Arch  Deacon  Sirachan's  income  cannot  be  easily 
ascertained.  The  application  of  the  house  to  look  into 
the  *blue  book'  or  official  statement  of  the  pecuniary 
affiiirs  of  the  Province,  as  sent  to  England,  for  the 
years  of  1824,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,  and  32,  the 
Lieutenant  Governor  refuses  to  comply  with;  and  ev- 
ery effort  of  the  committee  to  obtain  the  particulars  of 
the  Arch  Deacon's  income,  for  a  few  years  back,  by 
questions  put  to  himself,  has  proved  unsuccessful.  But 
as  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  obtain  evidence,  he  has, 
since  1826,  received  .1^51,312,  which  we  presume  falls 
far  short  of  the  gross  amount. 

"Within  the  last  eight  years,  there  have  been  paid 
1o  eleven  individuals,  in  the  form  of  pension,  out  of 


INTRODUCTION. 


11 


tho  Provincial  revenues,  but  without  the  consent  of 
the  legislature,  about  {§1122,000. 

"There  were  paid  out  of  the  Provincial  chest,  with- 
out any  vote  of  the  legislature,  in  1832,  33,  and  34, 
to  the  established  churches,  ^101,704;  of  which, 
$61,136,  wore  paid  in  1834;  and  23,905  acres  of  pub- 
lic land  have  been  set  apart  as  glebes  to  clergymen. 

"Accounts  of  expenditures,  for  immigration,  of 
$126,917  70,  under  the  Crown  Land  Commissioner, 
the  Honorable  P.  Robinson,  have  been  presented, 
mostly  unattested,  and  sometimes  with  cvidcntly'false 
vouchers.  These  accounts  are  like  others,  of  Mr. 
Robinson's — a  specimen  of  the  imperfect  mode  of  ac- 
counting for  public  monies,  which  prevails  in  U.  C.*' 
This  man  subsequently  became  a  dclaulter  to  the  gov- 
ernment in  some  forty  or  fifty  thousand  dollars,  but 
still  retained  in  the  governor's  councils,  by  the  power 
of  the  "family  compact.'' 

A  great  cause  of  complaint,  is,  the  appointment  of 
the  sheriffs  by  the  executive,  with  full  power  to  select 
all  jurors  from  creatures  of  his  own — the  consquence 
is,  packed  juries  are  not  unfrequent,  which  result  to 
the  discomfiture  of  proper  justice,  when  a  litigant  hap- 
pens to  be  branded  with  the  epithet  of  "radical." 

"Little  respect  is  paid,  even  in  subordinate  matters, 
to  the  wishes  of  the  house;"  and,  as  peculiarly  shown, 
"by  His  Excellency,  in  the  measures  he  adopted  for 
the  second  Leeds  election,  at  variance  with  their 
known  wishes.  The  returning  officer,  in  his  evidence, 
under  oath,  before  the  committee,  declared  Beverly, 
where  the  first  election  was  held,  to  be  an  unfit  place. 


i 


'I 

4} 


"  y 


r" 


■V 


12 


INTRODUCTION. 


I'ii 


It  had  always  been  the  scene  of  disgraceful  riots,  des- 
tructive of  the  freedom  of  elections,  of  life  and  of  pro- 
perty, and  was  in  the  vicinity  of  those  violent  partisans, 
[Orangemen,]  of  Messrs.  Gowan,  [grand  master  of  the 
Orange  lodge,]  and  Attorney  General,  who  were  the 
authors  of  the  former  riots,  and  remote  from  the  dis- 
trict town  where  any  rioters  might  be  confined.  The 
returning  officer  was  judged,  by  the  committee,  under 
oath,  to  be  destitute  of  firmness.  Yet  the  same  return- 
ing officer,  and  the  same  place,  was  selected  by  Sir 
John  Colborne,  for  the  new  election,  which  was  ordered 
to  take  place  at  so  short  a  notice,  that  it  was  scarcely 
possible  for  the  freeholders  of  the  diflerent  townships 
to  he  apprized,  under  these  circumstances,  it  is  not 
surprising,  that  renewed  riots  occurred  at  the  second 
election,  which  has,  by  another  committee,  been  also 
set  aside,'*'  from  the  same  cause  as  was  the  first. 

**Among  other  complaints,  embraced  in  the  petitions 
referred  to  this  committee,  were  the  neglect  of  general 
education — the  delays,  costs,  and  partialities  exhibited 
in  the  administration  of  justice — -defective  jury  laws — 
inconvenient  polling  places  at  county  elections — an 
imperfect  state  of  the  representation  in  the  House  of 
Assembly — the  primogeniture  laws — the  Crown  and 
Clergy  reserves,  and  the  large  Provincial  debt,  which 
is  daily  augmenting. 

"The  legislative  council  forms  a  par  of  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  British  Government;  they  are  the  nom- 
inees of  the  Minister  of  the  Colonies,  who  can  add  to 
their  numbers  at  his  discretion.  In  continually  reject- 
ing the  many  valuable  measures  earnestly  prayed  for 


■12 


INTRODUCTION. 


la 


by  the  people,  they  may  fairly  be  presumed  to  act  in 
obedience  to  the  authorities  from  wlience  their  power 
was  derived,"  us  their  answers,  in  the  examination 
that  took  place,  plainly  show. 

♦'Capital  may  be  carried  into  any  country;  but, 
under  an  arbitrary^  imprudent,  and  irresponsible  gov- 
ernment, like  this,  it  will  be  impossible  to  retain  a 
large  share  of  it.  Notwithstanding  the  'pretended' 
encouragement  given  for  immigration,  the  population 
of  the  Colony  has  not  increased  beyond  the  natural 
rate. 

''Governors,  like  other  men,  are  individually  liable 
to  all  the  infirmities  of  human  nature;  and  in  their 
political  capacity,  when  left  without  restraint,  they, 
no  doubt,  sacrifice,  occasionally,  the  interest  and  hap- 
piness of  the  people,  to  the  gratification  of  their  pas- 
sions and  caprices.  They,  with  the  British  Ministry, 
hold  the  sole  dominion  of  the  country,  and  leave  the 
representative  branch  of  the  Legislature  powerless  and 
dependant. 

"Mr.  Stanley,  [now  Lord  Stanley,]  in  giving  his 
opinion  of  the  executive  council,  says — 'I  do,  howe- 
ver, think,  that  something  might  be  done,  with  great 
advantage,  to  give  a  really  responsible  character  to 
the  executive  council,  which,  at  present,  is  a  perfectly 
anomalous  body,  hardly  recognised  by  the  constitution, 
and  eilective,  chiefly,  as  a  source  of  patronage.'  Its 
depcndance  is  strikingly  manifested  by  facts  stated  in 
the  evidence  of  the  Hon.  Col.  Clark,  and  the  lion.  W. 
Dickson,  members  of  that  body,  before  a  select  com- 
mittee of  a  late  Parliament.     It  appears  that  severol 


#^! 


M 


<4''" 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


I  ,t 


!   1 


\  ,1 


legislative  counsellors  had  objected  to  a  measure 
strongly  urged  by  the  executive;  and  its  failure  was 
inevitable.  To  ensure  its  passage,  coercive  measures 
were  adopted;  and  the  members,  dependent  on  the 
government,  were  told,  either  to  vote  directly  contrary 
to  the  opinion  they  had  publicly  expressed,  or  be  dis- 
missed from  their  offices.  In  this  manner,  any  meas- 
ure might  be  carried;  for,  of  the  twenty-seven  coun- 
sellors, seventeen  hold  offices  of  emolument. 

**lt  aj)pear,?,  therefore,  that  the  legislative  council, 
as  at  present  constituted,  has  utterly  failed,  and  can 
never  bo  made  to  answer  the  ends  for  which  it  was 
created. 

**Thc  opinions  of  Messrs.  Fox,  Stanley,  Earl  Grey, 
^/Lord  Erskinc,  Messrs.  Ellice,  Hume,  Sir  James  Mc- 
intosh, Messrs.  O'Connell,  Warburton,  Laboucher, 
and  many  other  eminent  British  statesmen,  have  been 
expressed  in  favor  of  elccti^  e  institutions,  as  the  most 
suitable  for  the  Canadas;  and  it  appears  to  the  com- 
mittee, that  Mr.  Stanley  correctly  describes  the  legis- 
lative councils  as  being  at  the  root  of  all  the  evils 
complained  of  in  both  Provinces.  A  painful  experi- 
ence has  proved  how  impracticable  it  is  for  such  a 
succession  of  strangers,  [Ministers  of  England,]  bene- 
ficially to  dirv?ct  and  control  the  affairs  of  a  Province 
4000  miles  off*. 

A  bill,  *'popularly  called  the  *everlastlng  salary 
bill,'  was  carried  through  the  house,  by  the  artifice, 
cunning,  and  consummate  skill  of  those  who  felt  them- 
selves above  responsibility,  and  spread  universal  dis- 
satisfaction and  discontent.     There  is  nothing  in  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


15 


country  to  justify  such  unconstitutional  encroachments 
upon  the  pi'ivilcgcs  of  the  legislature,  and  there  is  no 
language  of  censure  too  strong  against  it.  Yet,  it  ia 
not  of  this  act,  alone,  that  we  complain,  though  it  may 
serve  to  illustrate  our  condition;  but  the  whole  system 
ha^so  long  continued,  virtually,  in  the  same  hands, 
that  it  is  little  better  than  a  family  compact.  Abuses 
have  grown  up  so  as  to  be  interwoven  with  every  thing; 
and  these  abuses  are  concealed  or  palliated,  excused, 
and  sustained,  by  those  who  were  interested  to  U{)hold 
them,  as  the  means  to  retain  oflice,  for  tlieir  prrvate, 
and  not  the  public  good.'' 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  memorial  to  the 
Home  Government,  subscribed  by  30,000  freeholders, 
and  presented  by  a  gentleman  who  stood  high  in  the 
esteem  of  the  people. 

**He,"  Sir  John  Colborne,  "came  into  the  country 
a  stranger  to  the  people,  their  customs  and  their  man- 
ners, lie  found  the  persons  who  had  guided  his  pre- 
decessor, prepared  to  advise  him.  lie  found  Dr.  Stra- 
chan  in  possession  of  the  wealth,  honors,  emoluments, 
influencG,  and  resources  of  the  Province,  while  the 
House  of  Assembly  was  neglected,  and  its  remonstran- 
ces utterly  despised.  He  found  that  the  government 
was  carried  on  without  any  supplies,  and  that  the  pol- 
icy of  England's  rules,  in  these  days,  was  to  concili- 
ate the  people,  be  as  moderate  as  possible,  but  trust 
the  people  with  nothing — keep  them  powerless  and 
obedient." 

"There  is  no  one  public  individual  who  has  been 
moro   honored,   caressed,    and   pronioted   to   greater 


i 


m 


■iH 


:  '•  J 


i    ! 


1ft 


iNTRODlJCinON. 


wealth,  influence,  and  distinction,  by  the  British  gov- 
ernment, than  Dr.  Strachan,"  **and  there  is  not  one 
who  lias  done  more  to  wean  the  allections  of  the  peo- 
ple from  British  rule,  and  to  impress  upon  their  minds 
the  sense  of  British  injustice"  and  misrule.  **He  is 
an  executive  counsellor,  a  legislative  counsellor,  ptes- 
ident  of  the  college,  and  member  of  its  council;  a  civil 
inagistrate,  rector  of  York,  missionary  to  the  society 
for  promoting  Christian  knowledge,  member  of  the 
land  council,  president  of  the  board  of  education, 
senior  member  of  the  boards  of  education  in  eleven 
districts,  and  a  very  extensive  landholder.  He  is  re* 
ceiver  of  the  new  glebe  rents,  member  of  the  clergy 
corporation,  one  of  the  principal  proprietors  of  the 
Upper  Canada  bank,  arch  deacon  of  the  church  of 
England,  doctor  in  divinity,  a  commissioner  under  the 
heir  and  devisee  act  for  proving  letters  to  estates,  n. 
trustee  of  the  royal  institution,"  &;c.  &c.  &c. 

During  the  Parliamentary  session  of  1835,  thirty- 
four  bills  for  public  good,  originated  in  and  passed  the 
Commons,  were  rejected  by  the  Legislative  Council, 
and  five  reserved  for  his  Majesty's  pleasure. 

So  much  for  the  House  of  1835;  and  the  following 
is  from  the  House  of  1836 — it  being  the  report  of  a 
committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  correspondence 
between  his  excellency  and  the  late  members  of  the 
executive  council,  viz;  Messrs.  Baldwin,  Rolph,  and 
Dunn: 

"The  committee  are  deeply  convinced  of  the  truth 
of  Lord  Glenelg's  opinion,  that  the  present  is  an  era 
of  more  difficulty  and  importance  than  any  which  hasi 


I 


« 


4 


t      r 


Si 


I'ilish  gov*- 
s  not  one 
r  the  peo- 
icir  minds 
*»He  is 
I  lor,  ptes- 
ii;  a  civil 
le  society 
31*  of  the 
ducation, 
in  eleven 
He  is  18* 
lio  clergy 
rs  of  the 
hurch  of 
inder  the 
states,  n. 

thirty- 
issed  the 
'ouncil, 

:>!  lowing 
)rt  of  a 
Dndcnce 
of  the 
h,  and 


INTRODUCTION.  1  < 

liithcrto  occurred  in  the  history  of  this  part  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's dominions;  and  not  loss  arc  tiicy  convinced 
that  the  difliculty  has  been  increased,  instead  of  being 
diminished,  since  tlic  date  of  Lord  CHon'^lg's  despatch. 
It  is  at  such  a  crisis,  that  we  are  called  to  the  discus- 
sion of  a  question  of  vital  importance  to  the  people  of 
this  Province:  a  question,  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
committee,  is  no  le.ss  than  this:  AVJicthcr  we  have,  as 
wc  have  been  taught  to  believe,  a  constitution,  Hhe 
image  and  transcri[)t  of  that  of  Great  Britain,'  or  have 
only  a  mutilated  and  degraded  one. 

"The  increasing  dissatisfaction  which  has  been  pro- 
duced by  the  mal-administration  of  our  Provincial  af- 
fairs under  Lieut.  Governors  Clore,  Maitland,  and 
Colbornc,  has  been  so  well  known  and  so  general, 
that  even  the  colonial  ofTicc  seems  to  have  been  awa- 
kened to  a  sense  of  the  necessity  of  meliorating  our 
condition,  by  holding  out  the  encouraging  prospects  of 
relief  and  reform.         *         *         *=  ?^=  *         * 

*'ThG  country  was  ignorant  how  much  the  affairs  of 
the  Province  had  been  conducted  by  the  arbitary  will 
of  the  Lieutenant  Governor  himself,  with  no  other 
counsel  than  the  secret  suggestions  of  unsworn,  irres- 
ponsible, and  unknown  advisers. 

*'Much  and  justly  as  the  people  of  the  Province  had 
been  dissatisfied  with  the  condition  of  our  public  affairs, 
they  were,  nevertheless,  not  aware  of  the  extent  to 
which  the  unconstitutional  proceedings  of  the  Lieut. 
Governor  of  this  Province  had  been  carried,  until  re- 
cently. 


w  I 

"I 


Pi' I 


IS 


INTRODUCTION. 


ill 


'it; 
4!;! 


♦'Every  day,  however,  (iiscovcrs  new  causes  of  corn- 
j)laint  on  tlie  one  hand,  and  the  contemptiious  indifTer- 
cnce  witli  which  all  coini)laints  arc  rcgardcxl,  on  tho 
other. 

"Your  coniniitteo  wore  forced  to  believe,  that  the 
appointment  of  tli;}  n"W  counsellors  was  a  direct  ma- 
neuver to  gain  credit  >viiji  the  country  for  liberal  feel- 


ingr^  and  nilention,  where  none  really  existed;  tor  it 
was  notorious,  that  his  I'llxcellency  had  really  given 
his  confidence  to,  and  was  acting  under  the  influence 
of  secret  and  unsworn  advisers.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, the  council  seems  to  have  been  led,  (in  con- 
formity to  suggestions  of  his  Excellency  himself,)  to 
examine  the  nature  and  extent  of  their  duties  under  the 
constitutional  act;  and  having  discus.sed  the  subject 
with  his  Excellenev  at  the  couneil  board,  thev  united, 
ten  days  afterward.-,  in  an  unanimous  and  respectful 
representation,  i:i  writing,  in  which  they  advert  to  the 
critic'id  state  of  affairs,  and  the  general  discontent  with 
past  administration. 

*'The  Council  {)laced  thoir  duties  on  the  most  mode- 
rate scale,  and  only  proposed  that  the  alFairs  of  the 
Province  shouM  be  submitted  for  their  advice,  before 
the  Governor  exercised  his  discretionary  power  upon 
them.  Yet  this  simi)le  proposition,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  committee,  so  reasonable  to  a  candid,  and  so  ac- 
ceptable to  a  ircll  cnnslihifed  m/'iid,  is  repelled  by  his 
Excellency,  with  seeming  indignation;  and  the  coun- 
sellors, in  a  most  arbitrary  manner,  coerced  from  their 
office;  and  after  their  resignation,  literally  traduced. 
Upon  such  official  conduct,  (whatever  the  station  from 


,■«■ 


1 


■tismmii 


INTHOOrCTION. 


VJ 


which  it  comes,)  the  commitlcc  cannot  forbear  freely 
to  animadvert;  for  the  country  will  look  in  vain  for 
taiunluLl  and  h<jnorablo  meJi,  to  fill  the  government 
stations,  and  aid  the  coiulucl  of  go\erinnent  oflicers, 
ifsuhjoclcd  ti  igii  )iiiiny  and  loproach,  w  ithout  vindi- 
cation by  the  ropri;.' '^itative.s  of  the  j)Cople,  whose  high- 
est interests,  in  thj  King's  councils,  they  have  under- 
taken to  serve.*' 

Sir  Francis  B.  I  lead,  in  a  letter  to  the  council,  says, 
♦'should  they  be  uf  opinion  that  the  oath  they  have 
taken  rc(|uires  !!ieni  tu  retire  from  his  confidence, 
rather  liim  froiii  the  ])ri!"icii'Ies  they  have  av(jwed, 
they  will,  on  no  account,  hesitate  to  do  so." 

To  wln'ch  Mr.  .l*al(iuln  nobly  observed,  "I  could 
n;jt,  for  a  moment,  hv  sitatc,  when  the  alternative  j)re- 
sented  to  me  was,  (.'ither  the  abandonment  of  my  prin- 
ciples, or  my  place."' 

"The  eoiiimitlee  cannot  hesitate  to  remark",  that 
this  proposition  of  »Sir  F.  H.  Head,  in  the  secret  coun- 
cil chamber,  to  retiin  them  in  his  service,  if  they 
wouhl  r>.tire  fr«.)m  their  principles,  was  highly  objec- 
tionable, derogatory  to  the  honor  of  the  King,  and  de- 
moralizing to  tlie  community.-' 

In  his  Excellency's  description  of  the  infant  stale  of 
the  Ccdony,  "he  appears  to  have  had,  in  his  'mind's 
eye,'  the  fable  of  the  frog  and  the  ox.  and  the  com- 
mittee are  led  to  the  conclusion,  from  a  careful  obser- 
vation of  things,  that  the  policy,  apparently  intended 
to  be  pursued  by  the  present  head  of  our  government, 
and  that  of  Rehoboam,  as  recorded  in  the  12th  chap- 
ter of  the  first  book  of  Kings,  to  bo  very  similar. 


'I 


1,f 


20 


INTRODUCTION. 


I 


*'If  all  our  local  governors  worn  impoacliofl,  nnd  all 
their  estates  confiscated,  it  would  not  repair  the  inju- 
ries of  the  most  notorious  nature,  besides  thousand?!  of 
just  complaints,  murmured  only  in  secret,  and  en- 
dured with  patience,  because  the  remedy  proposed 
would  be  worse  than  the  injury;  or  because,  what  is 
notoriously  true,  to  prefer  a  complaint,  however  just, 
against  a  governor,  insures  a  black  mark  to  the  name, 
as  a  troublesome,  factious,  or  undeserving  man,  whoso 
future  hopes  are  blasted,  while  his  oppressions  arc  mul- 
tiplied, every  favorable  opportunity,  in  various  ways, 
that  elude  all  proof  and  conviction.  What  could  bo 
done  to  redc^em  tlio  injustice  against  Gourley,  the  late 
Robert  Randall,  Judge  ^Villis,  Francis  Collins,  (who 
was  a  martyr  for  maintaining  the  liberty  of  the  press,) 
and  many  others  of  the  same  class?  "Your  commit- 
tee, therefore,  deny  the  all  sufficiency  of  the  (-Jovern- 
or's  liability  to  impeachment,  for  mismanagement  of 
our  affair.!,"  for  various  enumerated  reasons,  for  a 
detail  of  v/hich,  I  cannot  afford  space.  An  extract 
from  one,  however,  is  as  follows:  *'For  it  would  be  in 
vain  to  proceed  against  the  executive  authorities  for 
the  erection  of  the  fifty-seven  rectories,  and  certain 
corrupt  exchange:?  of  lands,  although  opposed  to  tho 
well  known  wishes  and  interest  of  a  vast  majority  of 
tho  religious  community.  7/'  the  only  means  of  pRi:vEN- 
TiNG  wroiw  hein.c'  done,  was  founded  on  an  institution 
of  an  impeachment  for  it,  after  it  ivas  done,  before  a 
patron  of  the  wrong  doer,  four  thousand  miles  off, 
defended  by  a  person  entrenched  in  power  here,  and 
sustained  at  homo  by  family  connexions,  and  the  pre- 


4 


4 


^^,ssa. 


INT  no  DUCT  I  ON. 


21 


0(1,  nnd  all 

:  the  inju- 

ousancU  of 

,    and  cn- 

'■  propoRod 

10,  what  is 

ivcvcr  just, 

the  name, 

lan,  whoso 

IS  arc  mul- 

iou3  ways, 

t  could  ho 

Yj  thv?  lato 

lins,  (who 

the  press,) 

ir  comniit- 

G  (-Jovcrn- 

ccomont  of 

pns,  for  a 

11   extract 

ould  he  in 

oritios  for 

d  certain 

cd  to  tho 

ajority  of 

f  PRi:VEN- 

institution 
,  he  fore  a 
Tiiles  off, 
here,  and 
i  the  pre- 


servation of  what  is  called  the  Colonial  system,  our 
condition  must  bo  desperate.  Tiie  House  of  Assembly, 
of  JiOwer  Canada,  instituted  a  complaint  against  Lord 
Aylmjr,  in  a  most  solemn  manner;  and  with  great 
unanimity,  for  most  arbitrary  and  iinconslituional  mis- 
government;  but  it  only  ended  in  his  promotion  to  a 
liighcr  j)Ost  of  honor.  Therolbrc,  although  an  impeach- 
ment might  be  resorted  to,  in  extreme  cases,  yet,  it  by 
no  means  supcre(;des  tho  necessity  of  all  local  and 
constitutional  cheeks,  calculated  to  prevent  cause  for 
60  difiicult,  painful,  and  undesirable  a  course.''' 

Further:  ^'IJecause  there  arc  such  chungos  of  Colo- 
nial ministers,  that  there  might  be  half  a  dozen  in  suc- 
cession, before  a  suit  could  be  conducted  to  a  conclu- 
sion. For  instance,  Mr.  Gale,  who  gave  such  evidence 
before  the  Canada  committee,  as  to  oblige  the  Right 
Honorable  Mr.  Spring  Rice,  to  pronounce  him  unlit 
for  any  office  of  trust,  was  appointed  a  Judge  by  Gov- 
ernor Aylmer,  whose  partisan  he  had  been.  Mr.  Rice, 
who  had,  in  the  mean  time,  been  appointed  Colonial 
Secretary,  refused  to  confirm  his  appointment.  He 
was  soon  after  succeeded  by  Lord  Aberdeen,  who  al- 
lowed the  appointment;  and  Mr.  Gale  now  sits  upon 
the  bench,  although  Mr.  Rice,  again,  in  1835,  (when 
ho  was  once  more  in  the  secretary's  office,)  denounced 
him  as  an  unfit  and  improper  person  to  occupy  that 
station. 

**Your  committee  find  the  same  doing,  by  one  min- 
ister, and  undoing  by  another,  in  our  own  Province; 
which  is,  unhappily,  misgoverned,  by  the  same  policy, 
and  under  the  same  constitutional  act.     For  instance, 


m 


if 


,t-»fr 


•  *.» 


INTRODl  «  TIO.V. 


.".    " 


the  late  Attorney  aiul  Solicitor  dcnernlsi,  wcm'o  dismis- 
sed lor  mal-[»rnclice,  by  Jjord  (^oflnrich;  but  no  sormnr 
was  ho  succccdcMJ  by  Lord  ^'tatd'-y,  than  Ids  dct'ision, 
in  favor  of  tho  riglits  and  liborlio'^  of  tho  pnopl'',  was*, 
by  th''  lattor,  cnnreHcd,  aiul  tho  h-olioit oi*  put  ba<.'k 
again  into  (jlficc,  to  the  great  dissati  ^I'dctinn  of  the 
(!ountrv;  and  tho  Altoni'  v  C'<-'ii"ral  sont  as  Chi'd' 
.luslio"  to  NoNvfoundland,  to  create  now  scenes  of 
troLd)Ic  and  dissension  there."' 

And  also,  *'ncoause,  when,  in  l^^JM,  hi;^  Mnjesty 
suggost^'d  a  further  provision  for  the  civil  list,  whieli 
tho  C'ulonial  Minister  reqnired  to  be  made,  for  a 
term  of  years^  or,  for  Ihe  life  of  the  Kin'r^  the  terms 
of  tho  proposition  were  not  candidly  submitt(?d  t<» 
the  House  of  Assembly;  but  were  snpprossed,  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  a  Iccrn  Jniri^'riii;  and  for  his 
boasted  adroitness  in  managing  it,  his  late  excellency 
was  olVic'ally  commended.  His  undue  and  unworthy 
concealment  was  practiced  with  the  aid  of  the  execu- 
tive influence,  to  carry  a  measure  injurious  to  the 
constitutional  liberties  of  tho  people;  but  tho  useless- 
ness  of  any  complaint  against  a  government  for  such 
unworthy  policy,  is  apparent,  whon  we  see,  as  in  this 
case,  that  such  liberal  institutions  arc  violated,  and 
tho  mischief  accomplished  with  impunity,  although  it 
merits  disgrace." 

Lastly,  "Because,  the  pretended  responsibility  to 
Downing  street,  has  been  in  full  operation  for  nearly 
half  a  century;  and  we  have,  therefore,  against  its 
sufficiency,  the  uniform  testimony  alforded  by  one 
misgovernment,  during  nearly  the  whole  of  that  period. 


.if 

'•at, 

% 


4 


<.^ 


'),:; 


INTIIODI  (  TION. 


•)'< 
-*•» 


M'c  distuis- 
t  no  FooiKn* 
s  (lcci:-iion, 
o\)\<\  was', 

put  back 
nil  of  the 

as   Cliif.^f 

.SCOIU'H     of 

s  JNfnjosty 
isf,  wliicli 
uh,  for  a 
tho  terms 
)niittocl  to 
f'ssi'd,  for 
1(1  for  his 
jxcellcncy 
iimvorthy 

he  OX'CCU- 

iis  lo  tho 
3  nscloss- 
for  such 
as  in  tliis 
atod,  anfl 
thoiiffh  it 

o 

ibilitv  to 
or  nearly 
gainst  its 
1  by  one 
at  period. 


4 


lly  this  sy-itom,  wc  have  br'cn  stripped  of  tjjo  public 
resources,  and  i '^duced  to  our  present  bankrupt  condi- 
tion; auii  having  thu-i  fullered  in  liie  pnst,  we  cannot 
look  for  jjelt'r^'or  the  future,  if  we  sul)niit  to  the  eon- 
linuanci-  of  th<'  sai^»  system  of  speculation  tiiat  hnfc 
l)rt)uuht  sueli  a  visitation  up»»u  w-i. 

From  doeum.'iits  relative  to  the  endowment  of  the 
lil'ly-seven  rectorie's,  or  parsonag(\s,  *'according  to  tlK- 
established  ehurch  of  Mngland,"  *»!t  appears  tlusy 
liavo  l)f»en  constituted,  in  this  Province,  within  the 
past  year,  by  tlu*  govermneii!,  under  tlie  great  seal  of 
the  Province;  and  have  ijcen  endowed,  out  of  the  cler- 
gy reserves,  to  tlie  amount  of  '?.  I,  I'i.j  acres  ot'  v.'iluable 
land,  chiedy  in  (dd  townsliips,  ai:d  in  soiue  cases, 
wiiliiii  towns.  To  these  rectories,  or  parsonages 
ministers  have  been,  or  aie  to  be  presented,  as  are 
fhoir  sujeessors  in  I'nture,  by  tin;  government;  and 
thev  are,  according  to  the  thirty-ninth  section  of  the 
act.  Ho  h(dd  '-iwl  enjoy  the  same,  and  all  rights,  prot- 
its,  and  (Mnohuneuts  lliereunto  belonging  are  granted, 
as  lullv  and  arnpK',  and  in  tlie  .Maine  manner,  and  on 
the  same  terms  and  conditions,  and  liable  to  the  pcr- 
t'orinance  of  the  same  duties  as  the  encumbent  of  a 
parsonage,  or  rectory,  in  jMigland;^  and  the  next  clause 
provides  for  exercise  of  'spiritual  and  ecclesiastical 
jurisdiction  and  authority,"  'according  to  the  laws  and 
canons  of  the  Churcii  of  ICngland;'  under  which  clause, 
of  course,  ecclesiastical  courts  will  be  established,  as 
no  otbers  can  fully  exercise  sucli  'spiritual  and  eccle- 
siastical jurisdiction.' '"' 


I 


1 


-»T( 


rr 


24 


INTRODUCTION. 


* 'According  to  the  act,  the  government  may  endow 
such  parsonages  'from  time  to  time.'  So  that,  if  the 
bold  experiment  succeeds,  which  is  now  attempted,  we 
may  expect  that  the  present  parsonages  will  receive 
greater  endowments;  and  that  t^  number  of  these 
parsonages  will  be  multiplied  amongst  us  beyond  all 
present  calculation. 

*'It  further  appears,  that  diflercnt  clergymen  of  the 
church  of  England,  for  private  property  they  have 
surrendered,  consisting  of  205  acres  of  land,  with  two 
dwellings,  have  received,  in  exchange,  523S  acres  of 
as  good,  and  in  many  cases,  better  land.  Admiral 
Van  Sittart,  astonishing  to  say,  must  also  share  these 
good  things,  for  the  benefit  of  th'  church;  and  for 
about  twenty-nine  acres  of  land,  lying  in  laid  out 
towns,  (which  however,  are  uncleared  yet,  and  may  be, 
some  fifty  years  hence,)  receives  3090  acres  of  valuable 
land. 

**A11  these  endowments,  and  all  these  grants  of 
land,  are  in  addition  to  the  large  regular  allowance  that 
is  annually  paid  to  them  by  the  government,  out  of 
public  moneys  of  the  Province,  without  the  knowledge 
or  consent  of  the  people,  or  their  representatives. 

**A11  comment  upon  such  transactions,  is  superfluous. 
And  it  is  with  difficulty  the  committee  suppress  the 
strong  feelings  of  disgust,  indignation,  and  astonish- 
ment, which  these  practices  and  proceedings  of  the 
government  are  calculated  to  excite. 

"Year  after  year  have  the  people  of  this  Province, 
and  their  representatives,  been  straining  every  nerve, 
to  procure  the  appropriation  of  the  clergy  reserves  to 


INTRODUCTION. 


25 


ay  endow 
at,  if  the 
nptod,  we 
11  receive 
of  these 
eyond  all 

en  of  the 
)ey  have 
with  two 
acres  of 
Admiral 
we  theso 
and  for 
laid  out 
may  be, 
valuable 

ants  of 
nee  that 
out  of 
3wledge 

es. 

rfluous. 

■ess  the 

stonish- 

of  the 

3vince, 
nerve, 
I'ves  to 


some  useful  public  purpose,  in  which  all  his  Majesty's 
subjects  might  impartially  participate.  Year  after 
year  have  they  solemnly  jind  indignaiitly  protested 
against  the  establishment  of  any  state  church  in  this 
Province.  The  people,  indiscriminately,  and  in  pub- 
lic bodies,  from  one  end  of  the  Province  to  the  other, 
have  again  and  again,  petitioned  the  Provincial  Par- 
liament, the  King  and  Imperial  Parliament,  vainly  on 
the  subject. 

'-In  fact,  all  denominations  liave  been  agreed  on 
this  subject,  and  remained  in  a  perfect  unanimity  and 
perseverance  really  surprising.  And  so  has  the  House, 
when  either  party  predominated,  or  had  the  ascen- 
dency, showing  plainly  that  it  was  not  merely  a  party 
attempt. 

*'To  establish  and  endow  these  rectories,  in  opposi- 
tion to  theso  representations,  was  as  flagrant  a  viola- 
tion of  good  faith  as  can  well  be  imagined. 

^'\n  Lord  Glenelg's  instructions  to  his  Excellency, 
it  is  distinctly  intimated,  that  the  disposal  and  appro- 
priation of  the  clergy  reserves  are  to  be  left,  for  the 
present,  at  least,  to  the  Legislature  of  the  Province." 

A  few  seasons  more  of  as  favorable  pickings,  and 
the  clergy  reserves,  (which  comprise  one  seventh  of 
the  whole  Province,  and  arc  always  situated  in  the 
best  parts,)  will  not  bo  worth  the  asking,  let  alone  the 
contending  for. 

Relative  to  the  resignation  of  the  council,  who  were 
forced  to  that  step,  as  was  before  seen,  *'It  is,  to  the 
committee,  a  matter  of  profound  regret,  that,  when  his 
Excellency  was  surrounded  by  the  late  council,  with 


ill 


h3 


m 


v^n 


:My  ' 


m 


m 


'M 


»f 


■r 


r 


.1 

1' 


26 


INTRODUCTION. 


ovcry  means  of  conducting  his  administration  in  a 
manner  cilicicnt  and  satisluctory,  calculated  lo  ailay 
all  existing  discontent,  and  preserve  the  peace,  wel- 
fare, and  good  government  of  the  Province,  he  should 
so  hastily,  rashly,  and  wantonly  disappoint  public  ex- 
pectation, and  fill  the  i^-ovince  with  greater  distress 
and  a[)[)rohonsi()n  than  even  jn-evailed  from  the  alien 
question.  No  alternative,  therefore,  remains  to  the 
nous;\  but  to  abandon  their  privileges  and  honor,  and 
to  betray  their  duties  and  the  rights  of  the  people,  or 
to  witlih  )ld  the  supplies — or  all  that  has  been  done 
will  1)0  deemed  an  idle  bravado,  contemptible  in  itself, 
and  disgrac(.'ful  to  the  House.  Your  committee,  there- 
fore, distmctly  recommend  to  your  Honorable  House, 
to  withhold  the  annual  supplies;  for  we  would  again 
state,  in  illustiM.tion  of  tiie  alleged  suiliciency  of  Down- 
ing street  responsibility  by  Governors,  it  appears  that 
an  outrfi[!;e  is  first  perpetrated,  and  then  executive  au- 
thority, inilu::nce,  and  j)Ower  exerted  to  prevent  inves- 
tigatio!!.  Nor  is  this  all;  f.)r  they  further  try  to  i)oi- 
son  what  justice  might  l^e  expected  from  his  Majesty, 
by  calumniating  despatches,  traducing,  as  factious,  the 
assembly,''  who  endeavor  to  withstand  their  flagrant 
wrongs. 

The  following  is  the  close  of  a  memorial  to  the  Brit- 
ish Commons,  to  which  was  appended  the  report  from 
which  the  foregoing  extracts  are  taken. 

"It  is  with  pain,  disnppointmcnt  and  humiliation,  we  notice 
the  reiteratcnl  declaintion  of  his  Excellency  to  conduct  our  aflaire, 
without  the  advice  of  the  Executive  Council,  according  to  hie  own 
will  and  pleasure,  which  his  public  acts  have  already  proved  to  be 
nrbitrary  and  vindictive.     And  this  view  of  his  own  sole  ministe- 


'Hi''' 
li  1^1 


;  .11 


IXTRODUCTION. 


•27 


tion    ifi  a 
1  lo  allay 
ace.   u'cl- 
he  sjiould 
jubiic  ex- 
i"  distress 
the  alien 
IS   to   the 
3nor,  and 
•cople,  or 
■on  done 
in  itself, 
Jc,  therc- 
D  House, 
Id  again 
)f  Down- 
:'ars  that 
itive  au- 
nt invcs- 
'  to  poi- 
Uajesty, 
ous,  the 
flagrant 

he  Brit- 
>rt  from 

^e  notice 
ir  aflaire, 
)  bis  own 
i^ed  <o  be 
ministe- 


rinl  jiowtT  nnd  liulhorily  wiib  n  noniinnl  rc^jntur.-iliility  to  Downing 
street,  bo  Lns  Rii-^faincd  beforo  tbe  public  by  nii.--8lnlcnicnt8  nnd 
niisrcprcsonlntioiis  so  palpably  opp(>?ed  \o  candor  and  (riitb,  as  to 
dfetroy  nil  boj.cs  of  furlbor  justice  froni  his  government;  all 
wbicb  i  ■;  nion.' fiiUy  net  forth  In  tli''  doeuiiionf  <  nnix'nded  hereto. 
Since  Iho  reriiLnmt ion  y^i  the  l.'.te  coiincil,  bis  lixeeHiiH-y  has  fur- 
nifd  another,  coiiipo,<-ed  ofRoliort  B.'ddwin  Snlli\an,  l'!'--quirc,  nnd 
the  Honorable  ^ViibaIn  Allan,  Augii(<iii8  BaUiwin,  and  John 
Elnisley;  neitbur  ('njoying  nor  entilK;(l  (o  t'ne  p>olilicnl  confulence 
of  the  peopli.'  or  (heir  repre.3enlutivc.-J.  L'pon  ih;.'  funiadun  of  tbi.^ 
covnicil,  although  II.  15.  ?^n!b\7in,  11.  ijiiiro,  wa.j  :'-v.ori  in  aiul  ap- 
poart  d  I)c(rir(!  tlie  ptibl'-'  n-i  senior  coiiiiK  ilor.  iipdn  ^'i-m,  in  fho 
event  ol'the  do)!  li  or  nb.^ence  of  !n'.'<  E.v^'clhncy,  niiaht  {Ii'V(tlvo  the 
administration  of  the  government,  yet  a  f^ecrct  {!qn'cm<''nt  wati 
entered  into,  v.-iittcn  in  the  Council  Ch<imliLr  by  lii:i  E:;cL'n.;ncy 
bimsob",  by  \\!ii('!i  v.-jh  to  bo  deit'ttcd  th(.'  apparent  Kucccs.^ioii  uf 
the  genior  eoun-:  lior  to  ih;;  ahuoii.-linl  ion  of  th  >  liovcrnmcnt. 
Tbi.s  arrangement  wn^  d.'nied  bv  bid  K.vcolh  ncy  to  u:^  in  bis  an- 
swer to  our  n(Mrc.ss  on  the  8ubj:ct;  wliilc  on  the  other  band  tb(- 
fact;.-)  f.o  den'td  arc  proved  by  the  tesiiiuonyof  Jl.  U.  Sullivan, 
E'jquire,  iiiidlb     lliinorabie  onplaiir  Jjabhvi.o,  b,ii;i  uf  whom  are' 


elill  rotainod 


Is  Exceibiifv  in  fho  council.     For  oilur  iii-tan- 


cei3of  lii::5  devia<ii.n  fn)m  cnn'lor  and  trull:,  rn  \m.'11  a-3  In'-  ultcr  uri- 
ncqiiainlanco  w  Hh  the  na(c>ro  otdur  con-titution  nnd  iho  mode  in 
which  it  ebouM  be  adminiatered,  wo  refr  lo  (he  appended  docu- 
ment'i,  wherein  are  nlno  detailed  other  grievancos  of  an  urgent  and 
scriou.-i  miturc;  to  all  of  wblcli  we  binnbly  pray  th  •  .■  erii»u-,  speedy 
ntul  impfirlial  aMcntlonof  your  llonornbb..'  lb)u-\  i^eing  denied 
Ibe  bcneficinl  and  coni^titutional  ojicration  of  (tur  local  inr-ititutions 
for  the  manatremcni  of  our  local  allains;  being  threatened  with  tbe 
exercise  of  the  unadvised,  arbitrary  governniont  of  biu  Excellency, 
viriually  irresponsible,  and  b.dng  fiatif^lied  Ihat  nothing  but  nn 
open,  entire  and  bonornble  abandonmjnt  of  this  policy,  ciiiudly  un- 
conatitutionnl  and  perniciour),  will  ever  rcplorc  our  peace,  welfare 
and  good  gnvcrnmcnt,  we  have,  in  justice  to  tbe  people,  whose 
civil  and  relieious  interests  wo  arc  solenmly  bound  fearlessly  to 
vindicate,  been  obliged  as  a  last  resort,  to  stop  (most  reluctantly) 


rfi 

■■'! 

if 

i    ■'* 

I'  it 

v| 

l»ei 


Vi. 


, !  "f 


28 


INTRODUCTION. 


'I      M- 


■ii     Ml 


'I  I 


1  1 
■I    .:>'  ; 


the  supplies,  nnd  for  the  atlainment  of  rudrces  in  fhcse  and  other 
matters  contained  in  the  appended  repi^rt,  we  pruy  the  aid  of  your 
Honornl)le  Iluiiae. 

And  as  by  inclination  and  by  duly  we  are  led  and  bound  to  do, 
we  shall  ever  pray. 

MARSHALL  S.  BIDVVELL,  f^pcaker. 
Commons  House  of  A^sctuUiij    } 
18///  Ajjril,  id'JG."  i 

Tiie  foregoing  extracts  arc  given  as  I  find  them; 
and  although  they  arc  but  a  small  portion  of  the  grie- 
vances complained  of,  )-ct  they  will  go  farther  as  con- 
vincing evidence,  than  all  I  could  compile  from  sources 
published  in  any  otli  n*  form. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  last  memorial,  the  supplies 
were  withheld;  but  to  render  this  attempt  to  obtain 
responsibility  void,  the  willy  and  Quixotic  governor 
dissolved  the  House.  Determined  on  putting  down  the 
Liberal  Party,  at  all  hazards,  let  the  means  be  right 
or  wrong. 

He  knew  he  possessed  ample  resources,  and  with 
the  aid  of  his  irresponsible  officers;  the  club  law  ex- 
ercised by  the  Orange  faction,  and  the  inflammable 
material  in  the  country,  which  he  could  "ignite  by 
silver  and  land,"  he  hoped  to  carry  the  election  for  a 
new  House;  when  assised  by  it,  with  a  mock  legislature 
and  nominal  executive;  he  would,  of  course,  feel  no 
restraint  upon  his  insolence,  rapacity,  and  corruption. 

"To  secure  a  majority  of  menial  members  in  this 
House,  to  answer  his  vile  purposes,  Sir  Francis  gran- 
ted 250,000  acres  of  public  land,  within  the  months  of 
April,  May,  June,  and  July,  exclusive  of  as  much 
more  to  the  Canada  Company;  and  what  these  extra- 


\  •' 


INTRODUCTION. 


29 


■a 


ordinarv  and  unconstitutional  means  failed  in  accom 
plishing,  ilic  Orange  shillalahs  supplied." 

Immediately  after  the  termination  of  the  elections, 
the  people,  honorably  represented  by  the  * 'Reform 
Association  of  Toronto,"  which  included  in  its  acting 
Executive,  the  elite  of  Canadian  ability,  honor,  wealth, 
and  energy,  deputed  the  Hon.  Dr.  Charles  Duncombc, 
of  Bur  ford,  to  proceed  forthwith  to  England — as  is 
satisfactorily  shown  bv  extracts  ])ubli3hed  in  the  news- 
pnpers  of  the  day  from  minutes  of  their  proceedings. 

Agrccabl-3  to  this  connnission,  the  Doctor  hastened 
to  London,  and  lost  no  time  in  appdying  at  the  Colonial 
ollicG  tor  an  interview;  but,  although  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Hume,  and  others  of  England's  liberals,  he  found, 
to  his  mortification  and  chagrin,  the  doors  closed,  and 
himself  preceded  by  a  confidential  delegate  from  Head, 
bearing  the  following  private  letter: 

"Toronto,  July  16,  1836. 

"The  ropuhlicnn  minority  of  course  feel  Iheir  cnuec  is  desperate: 
and  as  n  In^it  dying  struggle,  Ihcy  have,  ns  1  understand,  been 
aseenibling  at  Toronto,  night  after  night,  for  the  purpof-o  of  appeal- 
ing for  assistance  to  hia  Majesty's  government!  Their  convoca- 
tions arc  so  secret  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  know  what  pasees 
there:  but  I  have  been  informed  they  iiavc  actually  despatched 
Dr.  Duncom])e,  an  American,  and  rank  republican,  with  com- 
plaints of  some  eort  respecting  the  elections. 

"I  feel  that  your  Lordship  will  discountenance  this  dark,  uncon- 
stitutional practice  of  despatching  agents  from  this  Province  to 
his  Majesty's  government,  to  make  secret  complaints  against  the 
Lieut.  Governor,  which,  of  course,  is  impossible  for  mc  to  repel." 

Upon  this  despatch  being  disclosed  to  the  public, 
Dr.  Rolph  subsequently  *<remarked  in  his  place  in  the 
Assembly,"  that, 


rif 


I 


m 


If 


.11(1 


<  ''I 


tffti 


i 


•fl 


y*. 


i'  .1 


1 


I'  :1 

I,'  'f' 


--       |i 


•  H. 


•■•  ■  i 


>. 't( 


'I, 


•I ' 


:30 


INTRODUCTION. 


''if  it  13  a  dark  and  uncuriKlitutionid  practice  to  eojul  uyxiito  to 
his  Mnji't^ty'f!  gDvcrmuciit  In  nuiii'laiii  of  such  ofilcial  conduct  a^ 
preceded  and  iitlf.ndcd  the  l.'ilc  electiona — if  such  conduct  i.:'  to  he 
approved  h\  flio  very  govcninieiit  frum  whicli  the  pco[)lc  tnudit  to 
expect  atid  to  ri'Ccive  protection — ilihia  ct)-opi  latiou  of  the  Colo- 
nial niiiiialcr  i.s  lo  p!'ip(;tiia!c  a  sn'^Ioui  ahhorrent  to  cwiy  well 
rcguhiled  rniiul — repu<rnant  to  tht^  coii.stitulion — :  iihvernivc  of 
liherly,  and  hascd  in  immorahty — (he  future  civil  mid  religicnia 
right?  of  the  country  are  doomed  to  ex(incli<'n.  Sidvation  can, 
in  euch  caHP,  oidv  he  oxpr^cted  fnuii  the  sid)ver3iori  of  Huch  a  r^ys- 
t cm  from  it  -  loutidntioji.  Unlcr-H  tiie  evil  is  now  cflectuaily  cor- 
rcc((.'d,  it  will  t  (j-,:ally  inf..cl  the  future,  as  it  has  the  p.iat  Llcetioui. 
The  couii'r}- jiiu:  f,  111  reliire,  renicnibjr  ihaf  thiy  cxccraMe  jHjliL-y 
iB  not  to  he  viow(  d  in  a  ppeculnfive,  hul  in  a  prac'ieal  joiiit  of 
view.  Sh'dl  wo  c\er  nfi'o'n  have  a  free  elerlion?  Tlii,^  fearfid 
inquiry  niufct  ho  me'  liy  an  Wher.  ^ViU  thia  cxecrahh;  liolioy  ever 
again  he  pu!,  in  operallun?  I  answer — it  will;  The  f^aniu  govern- 
uioni,  under  (he  fciini^j  .-yfctem.  will  not  h<.iiiato  to  reeort  to  the 
same  nirntiR  to  gain  the  t-.-imo  endr?.  They  will  no!  hlush  to  call 
thci^c  nionn'^  "(  nerL'''>',"  "moral  courage,''  and  *'f  •r.^-':i;hf ;"  "b-or- 
viecH"  wortliyef  'diigh  and  h'morahlc  tesiimony!"  Ey  thcf-o 
Virtues  we  f.rc  hureafler  to  ho  governed!  Canada  mu>1  no'.v  make 
her  choice  hc-lwecn  the  manful  redresci  of  her  grievajicT-n,  or  a  last- 
ing Gu!)mi,-.cuon.  I(.  is  tlie  ])rcsorvalion  or  cxlinclion  of  iiheriy. 
Repot ilion  will  ha  held  corroboration,  and  renevvi^d  r-uc'c^s  will 
harden  the  workers  of  iniquity.  It  in  a  solemn,  luif  unavoidable 
allernr.tive.  If  you  recognise  thenc  as  virit/cs,  and  dcrfirc  their 
transniistiion  to  your  posterity,  yon  have  nothing  to  (Jo;  you  have 
only  to  v«(V//(;7'.  But  if  your  nobler  feelings  rise  in  arms  against 
such  rirlit'S,  and  (he  dire  inheritance  they  will  yield  to  your  chil- 
dren and  your  children'^  children — if  you  value  tha!  purity  of  civd 
government  which  is  Heaven's  second  best  gift  to  man — if  this 
rude  blow  has  not  severed  your  bonds  of  sympathy  from  your  insti- 
tutions, civil  and  religious,  and  all  that  endears  a  people  to  their 
country — if  liberty  shall  not,  by  this  deadly  out -.age,  become  ex- 
tinct, but  rather  rise  from  the  panic,  with  renewed  energy,  and  a 
more  hallowed  zeal — Canadians  must  nerve   themnclves  with  a 


Vi'ii!.' 


:ul!JJIjm.JJi.. 


I 


INTRODl  CTION. 


31 


tcrveul  pairiotir,  ami  n  cLiiiblJau  tspiril,  I"  (.kw.-f",  l)y  fill  con- 
Blilutional  iiu  aiiH,  r,  JrceV'  for  llic  pnsl,  niuUiilvfiii.n  hn-  llic  I'lilure." 
The  iiitroiiid  Doctor,  after  Undiiig  liini.«;ir  thuy 
thwarted  in  the  ohj-ct  of  his  nu.ssioii,  buldl}-  aj^jx  alcd 
to  the  Knglisli  piihH.',  thruHgh  lli.-  mcdiiini  ol'  a  !on(h'ng 

i'ali"  (.!olail  of  CaiKii'.iaii   Li;ni.'. aii- 


ournai. 


[(•  gave  a 


CCS,  and  made  a  full  expose  of  the  uiijurt,  iiiihallowcd, 
and  unconstitniiona]  practices  of  the  d(  spolic  ''Head," 
in  his  attempt  to  jjeivcrt  the  sacred  rig'nts  ui  the  con- 
stitution; and  the  determination  of  thi,  Cnkmlal  oPiice 
to  palliate  iiis  conduct. 

Tills  fcarU-ss,  undaunted  moNCim  nt,  hrr>iig]it  CUe- 
nelg  to  his  senses;  and  he  finally  coii,-;cnl'd  to  receive 
the  petitions,  and  tlie  ^Doctor's  evid  'lie;-  in  writing,  hut 
positivoly  refused  an  interview.  ."\ir.  Duueonihe,  tliero- 
I'ore,  hastily  drew  up,  and  ind;0(!i, d  in  ;i  L'll-'r,  the 
principal  facts  he  had  come  to  lep'resc  lit.  Which  evi- 
dences, altliougli  pro[!erly  siili.^/t  'liliati  d.  did  m/i  pro- 
duce the  rej)rim;iud  or  recall  of  h^ir  i'lancis,  or 
instructions  fjr  a  new  election,  whi'-h  ;•  v(  ry  true  and 
liberal  man  really  anticipated,  hut,  every  movement, 
by  the  aul'aor  of  the  "bubbles  of  I>runen,''  in  bringing 
about  tlie  uiU'V  rain  of  his  government,  VAas  aj'pri)ved, 
and  even  applauded,  in  ;i  dcspaih  fruui  (jjenelg,  as 
follows: 

"Th(^  King  ia  jlonf-ici!  to  ncknow  lodg'^,  with  ninikod  nuprohntion, 
t1i.^  f )rc«iLdjl,  ori'.  !<.'y,  and  moiT.l  roiiriirre  by  \vl\i''h  your  ciniduct 
on  tnis  of-pnpi.'on  hoH  horn  disliiiLfiii^hPfl.  It  ic  pnrlicnlnrly  jirati- 
I'ying  to  mc  to  bo  the  chniincl  of  convoyinir  to  )-ou  this  high  and 
honorable  testimony  of  hia  iVIajcsty't;  favorable  acceptance  of  your 
f-crvices." 

The  Doctor  liaving  been  thus  unceremoniously  trea- 
ted,  in  his  mission  to  London,  returned  to  Canada: 


ufT^ 


i.'f ' 


I  •! 


"'1     . 


,'    M 


;^i  li:/ 


■    'i  I 


32 


INTRODUCTrON. 


and  as  a  forlorn  hope  in  his  struggle  for  liborty,  made 
out  a  charge  of  treason  against  the  Governor,  for  his 
unconstitulional  interference  in  tlio  people's  franchise. 
This  charge  was  attested  by  a  long  list  of  irrefragibic 
evidences,  and  carried  into  the  "partizan  house,"  with 
a  determination  to  trv  him,  even  before  his  own  crea- 
tures,  though  the  reformers  anticipated  no  benefit;  for 
it  was,  (as  the  ingenious  General  McLcod  observes,) 
done  '*with  a  full  knowledge  that  it  was  like  bringing 
a  thief  to  trial  before  a  gang  of  thieves.'' 

It  required  no  stretch  of  discerimirnt  to  j)redict  what 
the  fate  of  this  appeal  would  be.  Tiie  aifair  v/as  sub- 
mitted to  a  "Select  committee,"  most  of  the  members 
of  which  were,  more  or  less,  interested  in  the  acquittal 
of  Sir  Francis,  who  was  their  acknowledged  head. 
Their  report,  as  a  matter  of  course,  without  calling 
any  witnesses,  declared  "the  charge  frivolous  and 
vexatious."  Thus  defeating,  in  an  unparallelled, 
arbitrary  manner,  the  "last  expiring  struggle"  for 
reform — the  last  constitutional  cflbrt  to  impede  the 
torrent  of  despotism  and  reg;d  encroachment. 

From  this  failure,  and  the  ashes  of  their  lost  hopes, 
sprung  the  daring  plans  of  forcing  the  desired  redress; 
when,  those  early  staunch  champions  of  the  sacred 
rights  of  freedom,  united  unanimously  in  the  prepara- 
tions for  the  anticiptited  contest.  Who  can  wonder 
that  such  was  tlic  ciicct  of  Head's  vicious,  coercive 
and  corrupt  policy.  And  who  can  be  amazed,  to  find 
that  it  had  prepared  every  honest  and  independent 
mind  for  a  violent  disrupturc  from  the  power  that 
sought  so  strenuously  to  entail  upon   ourselves  and 


''f '  .'''■>■ 


'  m 


m 


M 


INTRODUCTION. 


:i3 


mcmbcrs 


fh>.9fcn(}/i  unmitigated  wrctchodncss  and  slavery.  It 
will  scarcely  be  expected  that  1  was  an  uninterested 
spectator  of  these  degrading  events,  for  1  was  one  of 
Canada's  sons,  born,  bred,  and  rocked  in  the  cradle  of 
liberal  pi-inciples.  She  was  iny  own,  my  native  land, 
and  my  feelings  su fibred  for  every  wrong  she  endured; 
every  continued  indignity  was  a  now  dagger  struck  to 
my  own  heart.  1  saw  the  struggle  approaching,  and 
actively  engaged,  both  privately  and  publicly,  in  pre- 
parations to  mc<'t  it;  and  made  up  my  mind  to  sec  the 
cause  succcoil,  or  become  a  willing  sacrifice  on  the 
shrine  of  patriotism. 

Perhaps  my  resentment  might  iiave  been  influenced 
more  or  less,  by  a  keen  sense  of  my  own  personal 
wrongs,  which,  indeed,  were  not  few  nor  slight;  and 
still  augmented  by  the  unjust  persecutions  of  a  gov- 
ernment faction,  that  unrelentingly  pursued  to  ruin  my 
wife's  family,  for  no  other  crime  than  having  nobly 
befriended,  in  a  case  of  urgent  necessity,  that  generous 
martyr  in  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice,  the  late  Major 
Robert  Randall, to  whom  they  allbrded  an  asylum  and 
a  hazardous  protection  from  the  fangs  of  an  arbitrary 
comjjact,  until  he  could  be  elected  by  the  people 
to  a  seat  in  their  Legislature,  where  he  served  them 
faithfully  and  staunchly  for  fourteen  years  of  severe 
toil  and  arduous  labor — where  his  conduct  justly  enti- 
tled him  to  the  position  of  "the  father  of  reform;-'  and 
the  uncompromising  friend  of  pure  principles,  demo- 
cratic rights  and  responsible  government.  To  his 
patriotic  exertions  in  proceeding  to  England  and  rep- 
resenting them  there,  the  Canadians  owe  their  eman- 
3 


PMt' 


:. 


k 


^ 


n 


M':l 


III 


it] 


m^ 


l^jp'T*^^ 


«v 


4'"^ 


;JA 


IMRODLCTION. 


I      ' 


.t   .  ' 


!    I 


'    '  1 


M    .„' 


;,1        '        i 


il'l 


lltfH, 


'        •! 


cipiUioii  iVuin  the  odious  "alien  luw,'^  thai  would  luivc 
utterly  dislVauchisod  two  thirds  of  their  numbers.  For 
years  he  withstood,  ahiiost  alone,  the  overwhelming 
torrent  of  vicc-royal  abuse,  lie  was  the  butt  ibr  the 
envenomed  .shafts  of  *'a  hundred  perjured  slaves  in  the 
employ  of  the  irresi)onsible  govfnmient  cliciue.  His 
fine  estates,  valued  al  .S)iO(^OOU,  were  the  plunder  of 
the  partisan  firm  of  Street  &  Clark,  of  liridgewater 
notoriety;  of  the  J3oltons,  Shcrwoods,  Jones's,  and  the 
whole  *'familv  coni))acu*'  headed  bv  the  Governors 
tljomselvcs. 

lie  stood  the  test  of  many  n  *'firry  trial,"'  and  emer- 
ged with  a  charaeter  and  notoriety  a  lliousand  fold 
brighter,  and  more  extended  than  Ix-fore.  Though 
ruined  in  fortune  and  health  yet  not  in  mental  energy. 
A  due  gratitude  for  his  merits  and  unbounded  integrity, 
retained  him  a  servant  of  the  people  to  the  close  of  his 
eventful  life. 

His  name,  with  those  of  the  Honorable  Captain 
IMathews,  the  Honorable  Chief  Justice  Willis,  the  un- 
daunted, martyred  P'rancis  Collins,  Esq.,  and  Robert 
Gourly  whose  incarceration  and  exile  were  inhuman 
stretches  of  arbitrary  power,  have  for  years,  excited 
the  sympathetic  feelings  and  commiseration  of  every 
noble  and  generous  heart;  while  the  horrid  atrocities 
exercised  towards  them  have  bred  an  universal  hatred, 
and  deep  rooted  resentment  for  the  faction  that  produ- 
ced them.  Major  Randall  was  my  early  patron  and 
friend;  and  his  wrongs,  with  his  examples,  influenced 
my  early  principles,  which  were  ripened  and  matured 
by  increasing  years  and  knowledge. 


INTRODl  CTION. 


Jft 


'J'hc  prcMliloclions  of  my  youtli  wrrc  lor  ihc  i  i\« 
and  political  life;  therefore,  my  studies,  rind  my  atten- 
tions were  diroftcd  thereto,  until  cxcossivc  aniliition  to 
progrf'ss,  and  fjrdont.'iry  lialiits  ruined  my  iic'illii,  when 
I  was  forced  to  sit  down  short  of  the  rf»nsunnnati(jn 
of  my  hopes.  I  d  ini'^stieated,  married,  and  was  drag- 
ged ffoin  the  felicit}'  of  retirement  only  hy  tli<-'  n^peated 
aggressions,  and  niiliallowcd  practices,  of  the  despoti(. 
I  lend. 

I  had  h  :id   111-,  sjh'  fidiv  devoted   to  whal;;vcr  meas- 


ilW 


wc 


re  anno:;!;c;M|  hy  our  firm  repn;sentutis'es{  at 
Toronto — I  at!:  nd  d  car;dnlly  to  idl  iho  dv.vcloponients 
(jf  intrigu.;  and  deception,  practiced  by  the  govern- 
ment, and  detected  by  the  indefatigable  McKc^nzic, 
and  his  able  associates;  and  felt  nv.  scdf  by  honor  and 
inclination,  pledged  to  an  early  participation  in  the 
outbreak;  for,  I  was  fully  convinced,  it  was  llic  only 
means  left  for  us  to  brcNak  the  bonds  of  tyranny.  At 
the  first  intimation  of  ihe  rising  near  Toronto,  1  armed 
and  left  my  home,  at  York,  on  tl^.e  (Irand  River,  with- 
out a  re!]^ret;  all  ardcncv  to  niinide  in  the  strife  for 
freedom;  ami  proceeded  towards  a  kiiown  point  of 
concentration.  Indeed,  it  was  highly  necessary  for 
me  to  be  on  the  move,  or,  at  least,  on  the  "qui  vivo;'' 
for  my  well  known  radical  principles,  rendered  me 
unsafe  at  homo;  while  the  circumstance  of  the  absence 
f  mv  wife  and  child,  on   a  visit  at 


o 


my 


fatl 


lers, 


sixty 


miles  distant,  was,   to  my  high  tory  neighbors,   proof 
sufhcient  of  a  premeditated  arrangement.      My  limits 


will  not  permit  me   to 


go  into   a 


detail;    and    I    will, 


fi 

M 

i'ii\  f 


ll^- 


therefore,  mcrelv  add,   that  I  arrived  in   tlic  London 


36 


INTIIODI  (JTION. 


.*it 


r':. 


'If    ' 


1  ; 

I     I 


I 

I' t 


I'. 


'H'  1 


•'■■Ah 

■   I  if'.'' 
',  ■  ■  t   I 


District  jual  in  tiino  to  witness  the  unliaj)i»y  (lisj)c'i'fcjou, 
wlien  it  bccanio  necessary  fur  every  one  to  shift  tor 
himself.  I  therefonj  retraced  my  Ntoi)S,  which  iuul  to 
1)0  ilone  with  the  utmost  care  and  vigihuice.  I  Iravelled 
mostly  by  night,  and  finally  arrived  on  the  frontiers, 
despite  the  thousand  dangers  that  hesut  mo,  after  hav- 
ing been  twice  int(;rc':|)led — once  by  Inilian  ,  whose 
cliief,  a  particular  friend,  let  me  go,  having  Im  m  at- 
tracted by  .1  v<'i\  rose,  the;  ba(!g-'  of  loyally,  v.hieli  I 
had  |)rovid(;ntiaIly  picked  up  and  [tinned  on  my  cap: 
and  once  by  a  l»nnd  ofdiuidven  vobmlrer  guard.i,  from 
whom,  by  a  daring  m;inouver,  1  made  a  Iwippy  esctpe-. 
On  (.'hristinis  eve,  i^dl/mtl/i/  ((S.^islcd  by  patriotic 
ladles^  1  launched  an  old  canoo  upon  the  Niagara, 
and  crossed  to  the  Land  of  Freedom,  from  wlK;nce  I 
soon  found  my  way  to  Navy  Island,  where  1  partook 
II  cheerfid  Christmas  dinner,  beneath  the  banner  of  the 


sister  stars. 


At  thr;  evacuation  of  tlu;  place,  I 


)rocctiC( 


with  the  melec  as  far  as  Coru^aut,  Ohitj,  where,  by  the 
virulence  of  thrc-3  seated  inward  inflaiiimations,  cau- 


se' 


1   by 


contincd  e\ 


:posu 


re, 


I  1 


IV 


lor 


veral   weelis 


but  one  remove  from  the  grav(^,  under  the  charge  of 
the  noble  aiid  generous  nnnded  Dr.  Raymond,  to  u  liom, 
with  the  iai'.iili(js  of  11.  Lake,  llsq.,  and  the  Rev.  J.  J. 
Bliss,  I  would  here  offer  the  sincere  tribute  of  a  grate- 
ful heart. 

From  Conoaut  I  returned,  by  stage,  to  Schlosscr, 
where  I  happily  founil  my  wile  and  child,  who  recei- 
ved mo  almost  as  one  from  the  dead.  In  the  mean 
time  Sir  George  Arthur  displaced  Sir  Francis,  in  Up- 
per Canada;  and  soon  after,  the  Earl  of  Durham  arr 


W 


>'  !1 


i'liJ 

lilui 


INTUOniM  TIOV. 


87 


vod,  us  Governor  r}(.'nrrul  of  the  r'tumdns;  from  ulioso 
;i(|ininistrati()ii  profof 'flings,  scnrcly  consislonl  with  our 
lutiip'  pl.'ins,  Worn  .'uitifiitritcfl.  Con'jCM|U«,'ntly,  twenty- 
six,  nil  CdiKnlid/is,  tlnring  I'dlows,  ready  to  b(?  sncri- 
lierd  ill  tJK!  lii'ld  or  on  the  .sciilUdd,  jicnrtr.'iti'd,  di)tddy 
armed,  witii(»ut  li(»[)e  of  return,  to  th';  iieart  of  tlie  ene- 
my's country,  surroundi-d  on  ev(>ry  side  hy  tlie  regular 
iuiantry,  laneors,  volunteers,  and  Indians,  (where  a 
few  Ain'M*ieans  earno  to  us,)  on  a  secret  mission — the 
object  of  which  I  am  n(»t  yet  at  liberty  to  detail — to 
which,  however,  let  it  suilice  that  I  declare  there  was 
nothin<^^  in  the  slightest  df^greu  dishonorable  or  dis- 
reputable atfacli"(l,  notwithstanding 3ubse([ucntsurmi.so 
and  evil  report. 

After  a  trilling,  successful  irruption  u\)on  a  company 
of  insulting  orange;  lancers,  \.'c.  far  outnumbering  us, 
whr»ni  we  took,  detained  a  short  lime,  then  dismissed, 
our  little  b.-uvl  retreated  anfl  dispersed,  wh(>n  a  j)art 
were  captured  aiul  sent,  with  twenty  or  more  of  tiie 
innocent  iidiabitants,  to  a  jail,  where  wc  were  all  sepa- 
rately indi(;ted  for  High  Treason,  by  having  appeared 
"armed  with  swords,  spears,  muskets,  bayonets,  rifles, 
pistols,  and  other  ollensive  weapons,  against  the  peace 
of  her  Majesty,  Victoria,  by  the  grace  of  God,  Queen 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  with  intent  to  do  her 
some  grievous  harm."  On  this  indictment  the  gal- 
lant Col.  Morrow,  for  whose  ajiprehension  a  reward  of 
£250  was  paid,  was  hastily  tried,  found  guilty,  and 
murdered  on  (be  scafibld,  with  but  a  few  days  granted 
in  which  to  arrange  his  worldly  aftairs.     He  died  like 


I -4 


II 


I 


^'i 


,'Uf^' 


38 


INTRODUCTION. 


U' ! '' 


':;!i 


a  man,  honored  and  mourned,  a  glorious  martyr  in  the 
cause  of  truth  and  the  rights  of  man. 

H^'ro  I  ought  to  consider  this  long  introduction  as 
closed,  and  the  request  of  my  friends  briefly  complied 
with.  Yet  I  must  add,  that  the  captured  innocent  citi- 
zens were  acquitted;  and  sixteen  of  the  participators 
sentenced  to  death  upon  tlie  gallows.  Thirteen  of 
them,  however,  received  an  inmiediate  commutation,- 
while  three,  Messrs.  Chanlder,  McLcod,  and  myself, 
with  Becmer,  who  was  soon  ai'tcr  added,  were  reser- 
ved for  positive  execution. 

But  subsequent  particulars  will  be  found  at  lull 
detail  in  Mrs.  Wait's  letters — and  my  owji,  which  I 
wrote  from  Van  Dieman's  Land,  designing  to  give  an 
ample  history;  in  no  anticipation  of  so  soon  being  ena- 
bled to  return  myself  to  collect,  compile,  and  arrange 
them  for  the  public.  The  readers,  1  trust,  will  be 
lenient  in  passing  over  whatever  faults  they  may  dis- 
cover, and  humanoly  charge  them  to  my  inexperience 
in  writing  for  a  general  perusal. 

In  reference  to  the  outbreak,  I  would  also  add  a  very 
few  of  Lord  Durham's  most  pertinent  remarks,  before 
I  quit  the  subject;  for  his  report  is  held  in  high  repu- 
tation by  every  true  Reformer  in  the  Canadas,  as  giv- 
ing a  very  fair  representation  of  the  causes  that  drove 
us  into  rebellion. 

*'Tlic  Reformers,  at  Inet  diecovcred,  tlint  success  in  the  elec- 
tions, iriBiirccI  tlicni  very  bttle  prnctical  benefit.  For  the  official 
party,  not  being  removed,  when  it  foiled  to  command  a  majority 
in  the  Assembly,  still  continued  to  wield  nil  the  powers  of  the 
executive  government,  to  strengthen  itself  by  its  patronage,  and 
the  influence  of  the  policy  of  the  colonial  governor  and  of  the  Colo- 


INTRODUCTION. 


39 


tnal  deporlmonl  nt  homo.  By  its  pcciirc  ninjority  in  ibe  Logieln- 
Uvc  Council,  it  could  cilectunlly  control  the  IcgiHlntive  powers  of 
the  Ao/aenibly." 

The  then  existing  I  foiisc  not  at  all  complying  with 
Sir  Francis  Head's  arbitrary  policy,  as  will  be  seen  by 
tlio  close  of  its  foro going  memorial, 

*'Hc  ventured  u[)on  n  dissolution,  when  ho  thought  the  public 
mind  completely  ripe,  nnd  it  completely  answered  his  cxpcctn- 
lions;  [to  ensure  n  i)crfcc(ly  meiiinl  Assembly;]  the  Crown  made 
iteelt'  n  pnrty  in  the  electioneering  contests;  the  result  was  the 
return  of  n  very  Inrgo  mnjority  host  ile,  in  jiolitics  to  1hc  Inte  nesem- 
bly  *  ■'*'  carried,  in  ntiiny  in.stnnces,  not  only  by  an  unf^cru 
pulous  influence  of  tiie  government,  but  by  a  dif^plny  of  violence  ' 
on  the  part  of  the  lories,  who  were  emboldened  l)y  tjie  counte- 
nance aflorded  to  them  by  the  nuthorilies. 

"It  cannot,  then,  be  a  matter  of  Rurprise,  that  such  facts  ond 
buch  impressions  produced  in  the  country  an  exasperation  and  n 
despair  o['  good  government,  which  extended  far  beyond  those 
who  had  actually  been  defeated  at  the  poUf;!.  For  there  was  no- 
thing in  the  use  which  tiie  leaders  of  the  Assembly  made  of  their 
power,  to  soften  the  discontent  excited  by  their  [unconstitutional] 
mode  of  obtaining  it. 

"It  was  the  prevalence  of  a  general  dif-sali^faction,  that  embol- 
dened the  parties  who  instigated  the  insurrection,  to  subvert  ex- 
isting institutions,  or  change  the  connection  with  Great  Britain. 

"It  certainly  appeared  too  much  as  if  the  rebellion  had  been 
purposely  invited  by  the  government,  and  the  unfortunate  men 
who  took  part  in  it,  deliberately  drawn  into  a  trap,  by  thoso  who 
subsequently  inflicted  so  severe  a  punishment  on  them  for  their 
error.  It  poemcd,  too,  as  if  the  diuninant  party  nvadc  use  of  the  oc- 
casion alVorded  it  by  the  real  guilt  of  a  few  desperate  and  imprudent 
men,  in  order  to  persecute  or  disable  the  whole  body  of  their  politi- 
cal oppponents.  A  great  number  of  perfectly  innocent  individu- 
als were  thrown  into  prison,  and  sufli^red  in  person,  property,  ond 
character.  The  whole  I)ody  of  Reformers  were  subjected  to  suspi- 
cion, and  to  harassing  proceedings,  instituted  by  magistrates  whose 
political  leanings  were  notoriously  adverse  to  them.    Several  laws 


i 


h  i 

if    I' 

B  El 


40 


INTRODUCTIOJN. 


;!i  II 


were  passed,  under  color  of  wliich  iiulividunls  very  generally  es- 
teemed, were  punished  without  any  form  of  trial. 

**The  two  persons  who  sufitTcd  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law 
unfortunately  engaged  a  great  Bhare  of  the  public  sympathy;  their 
pardon  had  been  solicited  in  petitions  signed,  it  is  generally  aeeer- 
ted,  by  no  less  than  30,000  of  their  countrymen." 


ii;'  n 


% 


TO 

TILVDDEUS  SMITH,  ESQUIRE, 

OF  CANADA  WEST, 

These  pages  arc  respGclfLilly  inscribed,  as  a  slight 
token  of  regard  due  him;  for  the  more  than  fraternal 
generosity  extended  to  his  family,  during  the  cap- 
tivity of 

TFIE  AUTHOR. 


(( 


Though  encrcd  the  tic  that  our  counUy  eulvvincth, 
And  (lenr  (o  the  lieart  hvr  rcmcnibrnncc  remains; 
Yet  dnrk  is  Ihnt  tic  when  no  mbkrty  shincth, 

And  sad  tiie  remembrance  where  slavery  etnins." 

MOORE. 


:f?! 


lii 


w 


■  '"I 

H 

i 

>''(tn| 
'1 


!: 


^1 


;l  ■ 


IJ     Iji 


i 

! 


Ill 


i\'- 


I  Hi 

mm 


\W ; 


■llip 


)  ill  ii - 


S!l 


.i: 


>:■? 


»ii.i 
■  ;P 


•i) 


!;l!!: 

;^^;:; 


LETTERS 


FROM 


VAN   DIEMAN'S   LAND. 


LETTER  L 


AsHfiROVE,  near  Oatlands,  Van  Dicman's  Land, 

March,  1840. 
To , 

My  very  kind  friend:  It  is  truly  with  sensations  of 
grateful  pleasure,  that  I  endeavor  to  reply  to  your 
sympathetic  letter,  which  has  but  just  reached  nie, 
though  written  six  months  since.  Had  it  arrived  one 
week  earlier,  the  delight  it  has  created  would  have 
been  far  more  enhanced;  but  now  it  has  been  preceded 
by  one  from  the  intrepid  partner  of  my  sorrows,  dated 
October,  1339,  breathing  an  alTectionato  ardor  that 
could  not  fail  to  absorb  all  my  former  pain  and  dis- 
quietude, while  it  robs  exile  of  half  its  bitterness,  and 
renders  my  heart  giddy  with  gratifying  anticipations. 

The  ruggedness  of  wild  nature,  and  the  asperities 
of  the  mass  of  wretchedness  about  me,  are,  through  its 
exhilarating  potency,  invested  with  a  smile  that  seems 
to  manifest  a  general  participation  in  my  newly  inspi- 
red feelings  and  hopes. 


'."If 


M 


.■I  i. 


nii'i' 


!|^  ;;il 


44  l^ttp:r.s  from  v.  d.  l. 

Slic  informs  ino  of  lior  safe  rirrival  in  London,  and 
llie  success  sli'3  lias  happily  mot  in  havijig  friendship 
and  protection  extended  to  her — while  the  government 
ap[)car  to  view  her  personal  application  as  "a  touching 
one,"  and  perhaps,  will  extend  "lluyal  clemency.'' 
Ought  1  not  to  hail  this  inteiligfnce  as  a  precursor  of 
ulterior  happiness,  jind  as  sufficient  to  elfectually  dis- 
pel all  bittcrii'ssand  melancholy  forebodings?  Indeed  I 
do  regard  it  as  having  created  a  bright  spot  in  the  misty 
horizon  of  my  calamitous  existenc(>,  and  as  extending 
my  renewed  vision  through  the  dark  vista  of  uncer- 
tainty, which,  till  Inst  week,  1  imagined  had  irrecove- 
rably immersed  nil  my  faculties  in  a  sea  of  despair. 
I  can  assure  you  that  hope  has  brightened  so  much 
that  I  now  look  forward  to  a  jo}  ful,  though  it  may  be 
remote  emancipation,  and  a  reunion  with  those  I  love. 
Tlicse  cheering  expectations  arc  greatly  augmented, 
too,  since'  I  have  proof  of  there  being,  also,  in  *'tho 
land  of  the  free  and  the  brave,"  generous  spirits,  who 
remember  with  commiseration,  the  hapless  lot  of  their 
countrymen,  doomed,  on  these  distant  shores,  to  wear 
the  galling  chains  of  British  slavery.  Oh  how  kind 
are  such  sympathies!  They  disperse  the  gloom  that 
shrouds  the  minds  of  those,  whose  dearest  ties,  whose 
fondest  affections  have  been  rent  asunder;  whose  anti- 
cipations of  happiness  and  comfort,  of  domestic  felicity 
and  the  enjoyment  of  public  respect  are  blasted;  of 
those  who  have  been  torn  from  all  they  deemed  worthy 
of  love,  by  the  cruel  hand  of  tyranny — by  a  despot, 
whose  barbarous  purposes,  could  not  be  adequately 
exhibited  in  the  mental  agony  caused  by  a  coerced 


J 


V'  'I 
y. 


li.r:i 


m 


LETTKllS    FIIO.M    V.   1).   L. 


45 


rL'sidcnce  oji  ihcso  antipodes,  1(),(>00  iriih^s  from  home 
und  all  tliat  is  doar;  but  uvcry  vobtigc  of  hope  must  be 
crushed,  tiu;  luind  enthralled,  and  every  misery  aggra- 
vated, by  eunsigning  our  yer.^ons  to  abjuet  servitude; 
and  debased  by  a  similitude  to,  and  eonneetion  with 
the  most  degraded  beings  of  which  {he  human  mind 
can  conceive. 

And  for  what  arc  wc  thus  diso-raced?    Is  it  for  mural 


rime,  such  as  iias  already  peopled  tlus  remote  spec 


1th 


.•k  of 


'J 


Jritaiii  s    territory 


witn    mur(Urers    an 


d    fel 


ons, 


whos 


0  polluted  society  must  inevitably,   exert  a  con- 
fluence over  the  characters  of  all,   even 


taminatnif^  m 


(jf  the  good,  who  are  thrust  among  them?    No,  not  for 


cranes  oi  that  d 


}■*-' 


m 


ust  the  sons  of  America  feel  iho 


keen  severity  of  British  revenge,  that  would  compel 
them  to  acknowledge  every  capricious,  petty  minion, 
a  master;  and  exact  the  most  humiliating  obeisance 
I'rom  the  servant — who,  for  the  slightest  dertjlictlon 
^)^  the  duty  imposed,  or  freedom  of  speech,  iiiay 
be  driven  in  chains  on  the  roads,  to  supply  the  place; 
of  cattle  in  carting  stone;  or  be  entombed,  to  dig  coal 
for  the  benefit  of  their  inhuman  task-masters.  But  it 
is  for  the  endeavor  to  redeem  the  rights  and  liberties 
forcibly  torn  from  us,  and  a  just  opposition  to  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  oppressive,  and  paralyzing  influence  of 
the  unchecked  avarice  and  misrule  as  exercised  in  our 
unhappy  country  by  the  British  Colonial  policy.  It 
is,  that  the  spirit  of  republicanism  animated  the  heart, 
and  nerved  the  arm  in  the  assertion  of  the  liberty  v/e 
ought  to  have  enjoyed,  that  the  envenomed  arrow  must 
enter  our  souls  and  prostrate  our  faculties. 


Vm 


:f 


^k 


m 


m% 


m 


f  ■  ♦■  -  ■ 


M 


'V.I  '  1 


■I  'i 


i 


■10 


i: 


:■&'' 


i  '1,  '■' 


II  |i 


\M 


! ;  1 1  f  ■  I  I !  li  ' '    I  . 


/'I'll 

'Mi 


/  111 


m 


li^'i!! 


;  I' 


IHJ 


at! 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


Olud  will  I  be  to  comply  with  your  request,  in  com- 
iiK.'iJciug  Ji  course  of  letters,  that  shall  have  for  tlicir 
ohject  a  detail  of  occurrences  transpiring  since,  and 
connected  with  my  imprisonment  and  transportation, 
if  l)y  any  means  an  opportunity  is  aflbrded  of  trans- 
mitting them  to  vXmerica.  Although  1  am  fully  aware 
that  it  will  bo  fittendcd  willi  difliculty  and  danger;  for 
the  system  oi*  espionage,  so  frecjuently  resorted  to  in 
our  own  country,  is  unremittingly  adhered  to  here; 
and  an  exposure  of  a  corresjiondence,  in  the  least  dc- 
^  gree  derogatory  to  the  honor  of  any  part  of  the  British 
government,  would  "bring  u})on  the  presumptuous 
offender,  unmilis;ated  severity/*' 

The  only  course  now  suggested  to  me,  is  through  the 
American  shipping,  which  frequent  the  port  of  Hobart- 
town.  I  have,  in  fact,  already  made  use  of  it  as  the 
safest  channel  through  which  I  could  correspond  with 
those  in  America,  to  whom  I  have  already  w'ritton: 
and  I  fmd  them,  at  all  applications  willing,  nay  anx- 
ious to  oblige  me  in  this  particular. 

My  tale,  as  you  anticipate,  will  bo  one  of  thrilling 

•  sorrow,  misery,  and  woe,  that  must  excite  the  tear  of 

sympathy,  and  the  commiseration  of  every  generous 

heart,  witli  their  prayers  in  behalf  of  deeply  sufTering 

humanity. 

I  shall,  at  all  times,  feel  truly  happy  in  receiving 
letters  from  yourself  or  other  friends.  Yet  I  am  under 
the  necessity  of  requesting  they  may  not  contain  any 
expression  offensive  to  the  government;  for  papers 
containing  such,  would  never  reach  the  captive.  All 
communications  to  or  from  the  prison  population,   are 


^f 


V' 


LETTEllS    FROM    V.   1).    L. 


47 


open  to  the  scruliny  of  nunicrous  potty  oflicials,  ap- 
pointed to  llic  honoriihlc  post  of  watch iiig  occasion  to 
draw  into  deep  punishment,  the  wretch  who  feels  his 
sLinbring  already  too  acute  for  long  endurance. 

Your  general  knowledge  of  the  circumstances  lead- 
iiig  to  tiic  insurrection,  and  my  inducements  to  take 
that  prominent  part  in  it,  wiiich  resulted  in  placing  me 
in  the  power  of  the  sanguinary  Arthur,  and  ultimately 
the  present  unforlunato  restraint,  entirely  sui)erccdes 
the  necessity  of  my  entering  minutely  into  relations 
anterior  to  my  sentence.  Therefore,  that  omiirous 
event  will  coinmcnce  my  personal  narrative — an  inci- 
dent, I  iiuw  regard  with  a  hundred  fold  more  horror, 
than  when  it  occurred. 

You  intimate  the  propriety,  of  my  entering  into  de- 
tails with  the  minuteness  of  a  diary;  but  that,  I  must 
Inform  you,  is  quite  out  of  my  power,  as  all  my  rele- 
vant notes,  taken  prior  to  my  removal  from  England, 
were  pillaged  simultaneous  with  all  my  wearing  appa- 
rel, books,  &c.  Perhaps,  however,  this  contemptible 
.^^trctch  of  power,  as  far  as  relates  to  the  "journal,"'' 
will  rather  be  conducive  of  interest  than  otherwise. 
For,  was  I  to  describe  every  indignity  that  1,  in  com- 
mon with  my  lellow  patriots  were  constrained  to  en- 
dure, and  indulge  in  the  consequent  strain  of  feeling, 
this  correspondence  would  extend  to  a  very  unneces- 
sary length,  and  assume  too  much  the  appearance  of 
egotistical  arrogance,  while  I  am  sure  all  the  incidents 
of  general  interest  or  importance,  are  so  indelibly  im- 
pressed upon  my  memory,  that  the  extinction  of  life 
or  reason,  could  alone  obliterate  them. 


1  li' 

m 

\'\  ■■'•) 

pi 

Pii 

48 


LETTKRS    FROM    V,  1).   L. 


n't 


h 


}'■■  ■ 


1. 1  ', 


111  ]■'  ,1 


hi;; 


'Vi^'l. 


;  '';■!! 
;i;'|!l! 


['■:u 


y'uV  ii 


Ilcro  pormit  mc  to  remark,  that  I  do  not  comply 
with  your  request  f?o  much  for  tlic  purpo.sc  of  giving 
publicity  to  my  individual  sullcrings,  as  you  propose, 
in  America,  us  [  du  with  a  desire  of  exposijig  the  sys- 
tem of  treachery  and  consummate  barbarity,  as  prac- 
ticed towards  acknowledged  "political  olli'iulers,**'  wlien 
in  their  power  without  the  means  of  redress,  by  the 
"self  styled''  generous,  liberal,  and  humane  British 
government. 

It  may  be  presumed  lliat  my  residence  here,  amid 
a  class  of  beings  w  ho,  for  crime  and  obscenity,  have 
scarce  a  parallel  in  the  world,  will  alford  frequent  op- 
portunities for  giving  many  convincing  proofs  of 
the  utter  inefficiency  of  the  present  "convict  disci- 
pline,*' as  adopted  in  almost  every  part  of  the  British 
possessions. 

This  Island  indeed,  with  truth,  may  be  esteemed  the 
purgatory  of  England;  where  prisoners  of  all  classes, 
without  distinction,  are  compelled  to  submit  to  every 
species  of  otl'icial  abuse  and  despotism;  where,  while 
employed  by  government,  the  corrodings  of  hunger 
arc  never  appeased,  and  men  seldom  emerge  from  the 
lowest  degrees  of  filthiness,  that  all  know  lead  almost 
directly  to  disease  and  premature  death.  When  human 
beings,  spotted  with  every  shade  of  crime,  arc  herded 
together  in  masses,  ibrming  schools  of  vice  and  infamy 
in  no  instance  surpassed — they  are  sunk  still  deeper 
and  deeper  into  the  vortex  of  degradation  and  ruin. 

In  closing  this  letter  I  would  add,  that  what  I  shall 
relate  as  having  occurred  to  myself,  and  within  my 
observation,  has  also  happened  to,  and  in  view  of  all 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


49 


iiiy  coimtvymcn,  who,  with  nr.o,  arc  destined  to  drag 
out  a  disgraced  e.Mistcnco,  amid  thieves  and  murderers, 
forlorn  outcastw  on  the  ^'inhospitable  shores''  of  Van 
Dieman's  Land;  and  therefore,  though  my  tale  may 
be  incredible,  there  cannot  exist  a  doubt  of  its  truth. 

I  have  merely  space  to  say,  you  may  expect  to  hear 
from  me  nearly  monthly;  and  that  [  foel  most  grateful 
in  acknowledging  your  kindness  with  all  manifest  inter- 
est; and  add,  [  hope  the  active  eirorts  now  being 
made  for  my  freedom  by  Mrs.  Wait,  will  equally  re- 
sult in  the  comi)lete  emancipation  of  all  my  compatri- 
ots from  this  merciless  thraldom. 

I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 

Yours,  &c. . 


LETTER  IL 


AsHGROVE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  D.  L 

April,  1840. 

*»You,  Benjamin  Wait,  shall  be  taken  from  the  court 
to  the  place  from  whence  you  last  came,  and  there  re- 
main until  the  25th  of  August,  when,  between  the 
hours  of  11  and  1,  you  shall  be  drawn  on  a  hurdle  to 
the  place  of  execution,  and  there  hanged  by  the  neck, 
until  you  are  dead,  and  your  body  shall  be  quartered. 
The  Lord  have  mercy  on  your  soul  !  !  !  " 

Such  was  the  horrid  sentence  passed  upon  me  by 
Judge  Jones,  on  the  11th  August,  1938.  It  will  be 
supposed  that   a  doom  of  such  ignominious   import, 


'■A    i! 

I- 1 


i 


i'i 


» ( 


f^' 


MM 


('  '(!:•:', 


50 


LETTEIia    FROM  V.   D.   L. 


^■'.i;, 


'V   ':"!■ 


!• 


must  havo  mndo  a  dooj)  improssion  upon  my  mind. 
IJut  1  (irmly  bcliovc  it  crr'iitcd  a  greater,  or  ut  iejist,  a 
moro  sonsihlc  eflcct  upon  tlic  crowd  of  sj)cclalors,  (for 
iho  house  was  literally  crammed,)    than  within    my 
breast;  for  J  v/as  prepan.'d  for  the  event,  and  fully  per- 
suaded that  it  would  take  place,   despite  tlie  jury's  rc- 
conim(mdali(ju  to  mercy,    which  was  special,   or  the 
motion  of  my  very  ahk;  and  aclivc  counsel,  (Mr.  Alex- 
ander Stewart,)  to  arrest  the  verdict,  on  th(!  ground  of 
nil    ill(?g;il  jury;     the    foi-eman,   (Mr.    W'lagg,)  being 
an  alien,  irrevocably  so,  by  especial  act  of  lailiamcnt. 
In  fact,  1  should  have  been  much  disaj)i>ulntcd,  (thougli 
I  must  say,   happily  so,)   if  an  arrest  of  verdict  had 
been  ruled;   for  on  the  day  of  my  arrival  in  the  jail  of 
Niagara,  I  was  informed  by  a  gr-ntloman  high  in  gov- 
ornment  fslccm,  that  I  was   "a  man  mark(;(l  by  an  cx- 
as{)erated  governor,  as  a  lit  subject  to  wreak  his  utmost 
vengeance  upon;'"'*  and  had  I  felt  even  a  /lope  of  favor, 
or  that  my  case  would  not  be  rogarrk^l  u  desperate 
ono,  it  would  have  been   cfTectually  dispelled  by  Sir 
Groorgc  himself,  who,  (at  the  close  of  an  interview  in 
which  he  ofTercd  a  free  pardon  and  emolument,  if  I 
would  give  information  of  the  combination,  ho  knew 
existed  in  the  country,  for  the  subversion  of  the  govern- 
ment, by  which  ho  hoj)ed  to  obtain  more  subjects  for 
"rctijibutivo  justice,")  said,  "for  your  obstinac}',  in  re- 
fusing to  make  reparation  to  the  country  for  the  injury 
you  Imvo  done  it,  you  shall  feel  the  rigor  of  that  power 
you  affect  to  despise,  and  be  IiU7ig  despite  every  effort 
to  the  contrary.     Yes,''  said  he,  with  the  tremor  of 
passion  on  his  lip,  '^though  the  Province  rise  en  masse, 


I 


LEn'KRS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


51 


nnd  l>cg  it,  you  simll  receive  no  favor  from  me/*  By 
Bucli  p.'issioniitc  tliruals,  lie  hail  iiopod  to  make  my  spirit 
quail  boiu-atlj  UIa  fn/i^/ih/  power,  aud  force  the  desired 
information  from  me.  I  Jut  lluiy  were  vain;  and  all  I 
had  to  return  was,  that  *'all  the  rcparu/ion  in  my 
power,  1  would  make  iaslanlcr;  that  was,  as  ho  con- 
sidered me  a  prime  instigator,  my  blood  was  at  his 
Bcrvice,  if  he  W(AiM  d^c-in  my  execution  atonement  suf- 
ficient  for  all  the  (^tlun-s  who  had  been  incarcerated 
for  conduct, 'Mie '•con.-:iidered  mo  the  mover  of."  Tiius, 
tliun,  these  bodi'ig  menaces,  together  with  the  sealed 
fate  of  the  late  Col.  M  )now,  insured  to  me  the  vcrcPict 
and  foregoing  sentonee,  aud  caused  an  apathy  relative 
to  it,  and  an  indifiercnce,  that,  at  thi.s  distant  momc/tt, 
makes  me  shudder. 

But  hippily  for  t!ie  preservation  of  my  life,  and  the 
lives  of  others,  th>!  sanguinary  purposes  of  the  Gover- 
nor were  frusti'alt'd,  much  to  his  chagrin,  by  the  ener- 
getic conduct  of  my  alfectionatc  wile,  who  could  not. 
see  the  husband  of  her  choice  sacrificed  to  a  despot's 
fury,  without  a  struggle  to  save  him.  Vou  will  re- 
member how  fearlessly  h;ho  overcame  the  obstacles 
thrown  in  her  way;  and  counter  to  the  advice,  nay, 
persuasions,  of  numerous  self  shjhd  friends,  proceeded 
to  Quebec  to  procure,  if  possible,  an  interview  with 
the  Karl  of  Durham,  of  whom  she  had  no  doubt  she 
could  obtain  a  pardon,  or  at  least,  a  commutation,  by 
the  strength  of  her  entreaties — in  which  eObrt  of  gene- 
rous aflection  she  was  deservedly  successful.  A  detail 
of  the  obstructions  thrown  in  her  way,  the  difliculties 
•he  encountered,  her  feelings  and  the  occurrances  on  \\vi 


i'i 
M 

'4 


mi 


1    1^11 


52 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


r  'i 


•,uf} 


diii;  'i . 


:-''  ii 


-•-l.l:  ': 


•  I  I 


passage  to  and  from  Quebec,  with  her  pleadings  there, 
and  interview  with  Sir  George  on  her  return,  I  will 
give  you  from  her  own  pen,  it  being  the  copy  of  a  letter 
she  wrote  a  friend  subsequent  to  my  being  sent  from 
Niagara — a  duplicate  of  which  she  gave  me,  when  on 
a  visit  to  me  at  Kingston — and  which,  with  other  of 
her  letters,  I  have  preserved  with  care,  through  every 
vicissitude. 

Perhaps  the  indifference  with  which  I  listened  to  the 
ominous  sentence,  induced  the  authorities  to  treat  mc 
with  greater  severity  than  the  others;  for  immediately 
after  "guilty''  was  said  by  the  foreman  of  the  jury, 
I  was  hurried  away  to  the  iron  bound  stone  cell, 
known  in  the  jail  as  the  **condemned  cell;"  and  there 
locked  up,  consigned  to  the  solitary  musings  of  my 
own  mind;  and  debarred  from  correspondence  with  my 
fellow  prisoners,  except  what  could  pass  through  a 
small  diamond  in  the  iron  door,  and  almost  from  the 
light  of  heaven.  Here,  in  the  hour  of  loneliness,  the 
idea  of  my  approaching  death  came  over  me.  My  life 
1  never  valued;  and  to  sacrifice  it  in  the  cause  of 
liberty,  truth,  and  justice,  was  the  end  I  most  desired. 
I  had  calmly,  in  other  times,  counted  the  probabilities 
of  such  an  event,  and  deemed  the  offering  a  voluntary 
and  perchance  a  necessary  One,  upon  the  altar  of  le- 
gitimate riglits.  But  I  had  never  before  considered  it 
in  connection  with  the  desolation  my  fate  would  entail 
upon  my  family — or  the  sad  and  sorrowful  adieus  that 
must  t>e  given — the  tears  and  grief  of  a  wife — the  be- 
reavement of  a  dear  child — and  a  separation  from  the 
friends  of  my  happy  days.     The  thoughts  were  bitter* 


mx^ 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


53 


dnd  created  an  agony  of  mind  that  only  gave  way  to 
the  {jure  and  holy  influences  of  religion,  which  can 
alone  produce  that  proper  resignation  to  the  Divine 
will  in  the  last  trial  of  nature,  and  allbrd  the  peace  and 
consolation  so  requisite  to  sustain  the  soul  and  raise  it 
above  the  vicissitudes  of  mortality. 

Though  Mrs.  W^ait  had  left  Niagara  with  a  strong 
hope  of  success  in  her  mission  to  Lord  Durham,  yet  I 
did  not  for  a  moment  cherish  the  thought — knowing 
that  his  Lordship  had,  while  on  a  recent  visit  to 
Upper  Canada,  refused  to  comply  with  the  petitions 
of  many  of  the  inhabitants,  and  extend  to  that  Pro- 
vince the  general  amnesty  he  had  proclaimed  in  Lower 
Canada;  or  interfere,  at  that  time,  with  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Lieut.  Governor — consequently  made 
every  preparation  in  my  power  for  tlie  approaching 
hour  of  dissolution;  and  even  when  Mrs.  Wait  return- 
ed with  the  assurance,  both  from  the  Governor  Gene- 
ral and  Sir  George,  that  a  respite  was  granted,  I  felt 
still  incredulous,  and  up  to  the  latest  moment  gave  no 
heed  to  the  flatteries  of  hope;  and  subsequent  discove- 
ries described  in  Mrs  Wait's  letters,  will  show  you 
that  my  incredulity  was  not  without  foundation,  al- 
though the  sequel  did  result  propitiously. 

Previous  to  my  sentence,  and  subsequent  to  I\Irs. 
Wait's  return  from  Quebec,  she  resided  near  the  jail 
to  administer  as  much  as  possible  to  our  relief;  there- 
fore I  suffered  nothing  from  the  want  of  provisions  or 
clothing,  but  unabated  mental  distress  through  the 
daily  prospect  of  the  inhumanity  of  the  jailer,  who 
has  driven  her  from  the  gratings  several  times  in  the 


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54 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


day,  lest  she  might  communicate  some  intelligence 
unheard  by  him.  By  the  orders  of  the  ShcrifTsho  has 
also  been  detained,  at  the  gate  of  llic  yard,  and  refused 
admittance  by  the  armed  guard,  who,  with  the  heart 
of  a  dastard,  presented  a  bayonet  at  her  breast  and 
drove  her  back.  These  orders  were  given,  as  was 
after'vards  stated  by  sheriff  Hamilton,  in  answer  to  a 
request  for  an  explanation,  by  the  Judge  on  the  bench, 
when  she  made  an  appeal  to  him  through  my  attor- 
ney, who  said  it  v/as  "on  account  of  having  received  in- 
formation from  a  James  Gordon,  that  her  admittance  to 
the  prison  would  endanger  the  safety  of  the  prisoners," 
&c.  &c.  Such  an  explanation  ofli^rcd  a  fine  opportu- 
nity for  Mr.  Stewart  to  exert  his  talent  at  satire, 
which  was  improved,  to  the  no  t^mall  amusement  of 
every  generous  mind  present,  and  annoyance  of  the 
Sheriff.  An  order  emanated  from  the  bench  at  once 
for  her  admission  to  the  grates  of  t'le  prison;  still  she 
was  subject  to  the  malevolence  of  tlie  wretch  who  kept 
the  jail.  After  the  respite  was  oidercd,  I  made  this 
conduct  the  subject  of  a  petition  to  the  Lieut.  Gover- 
ernor,  who  ventured  no  reply  until  after  I  was  removed 
to  Kingston,  when  the  board  of  magistrates  was  called 
together,  and  the  letter  laid  before  them,  without  the 
knowledge  of  myself  or  any  one  friendly  person. 
The  consequence  was,  that,  on  tho  testimony  of  old 
Wheeler,  his  son,  and  the  turnkeys,  the  petition  was 
pronounced  a  •'libel."  The  result  of  this  meeting  of 
the  board,  was  first  communicated  to  Mrs.  Wo  by 
Mr.  Macaulay,  Private  Secretary  to  Arthur,  wnen 
she  called  at  Toronto  on  her  way  to  Kingston,  who 


LETTERS    FROM  V.  D.   L. 


55 


appeared  highly  incensed  that  such  a  *'false  statement 
should  be  made  against  any  odicer  in  discharge  of  his 
duty."  He  exhibited  the  petition  to  her,  as  she  had 
heard  or  seen  nothing  of  it  b;:fore,  when  she  declared 
every  statement  was  true;  and  would  appeal  to  a  num- 
ber of  gentlomcn  of  veracity;  but  nothing  farther 
would  be  done  about  it,  yet  /  must  bear  the  odium  of 
IX  "libel." 

The  24th  regiment  was  our  guard,  and  was 
commanded  hy  brevet  Major  Townsend,  rendered 
famous  in  tlic  annals  of  Irish  criin.  con.  by  the'  elo- 
quence of  the  noted  Irish  Ikirrister,  IMiillips.  He 

often  visited  our  eel's  witli  no  other  apparent  design 
than  to  insult  us.  His  arbitrary  and  cowardly  spirit 
was  contemptibly  manifested,  by  refusing  Mrs.  Wait 
permission  to  cross  the  Niagara  River,  when  I  was 
undergoing  an  examinatioii  at  the  Ontario  House, 
Niagara  Falls.  His  rcgimi-nt  was  afterwards  exchan- 
ged for  the  43d,  the  characl-n*  of  whose  commander. 
Col.  Boothe,  formed  an  ex.'dted  contrast  to  that  of  his 
predecessor  in  charge.  Tlic  secret  ir,  Boothe  was  a 
christian  and  a  soldier,  while  the  other  was  dissolute 
and  cowardly. 

I  scarce  need  remind  you  that  there  were  sixteen 
**brave,  faithful,  and  honest  men,"  limited  to  a  life  of 
two  weeks,  at  the  same  special  assize  at  which  I  was 
sentenced — poor  Morrow  having  been  executed  pre- 
vious to  our  arraignment — and  soon  after  three  others 
were  added  to  our  number.  Of  these,  thirteen  received 
a  commutation  of  sentence,  and  were  sent  away  to  Fort 
Henry,  at  Kingston,  on  the  21st  August,  leaving  four, 


tY.'iv.l,,, 


i; 


'Mi 


U 


5() 


LETTERS    PR03I    V.  D.  L. 


m 


iS  (. 


Messrs.  Chandler,  McLcod,  Beemer  and  myself,  for 
positive  execution,  and  one  for  mercy.     When  they 
were  separated  from  us  and  manacled  for  their  jour- 
ney,   the   scene  became    replete   with   sorrow — tears 
rolled  from  the  eyes  of  the  poor  fellows  who  supposed 
they  were  bidding  us  adieu  for  ever — the  cheeks  of 
manhood   were    blanched  with  grief,   and  there  was 
more  dejection  in  the  hearts  of  those  whose  lives  were 
to  be  prolonged  in  slavery,  than  among  us  for  whom 
there  was   no  hope.     They  parted  from  us  as  from 
dying  companions,  with  whom  they  had  long  sutibred. 
One  agonizing  sensation  pervaded  every  soul,  the  in- 
tensity of  which  none  can  have  an  adequate  concep- 
tion,   but  those  who  have  felt  its  saddening  influence. 
The  scenes  of  my  incarceration,  trial  and  sentence, 
were  all  enacted  within  what  I  might  call  my  native 
District — consequently  intense   interest  was   excited. 
Petitions  for  a  pardon  or  commutation  were  prepared, 
universally    signed,    and  placed  in  the  hands  of  my 
father,  who,  though  feeble  from  ill  health,  proceeded, 
accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  of  Drummond- 
ville,  to  Toronto,  to  lay  them  before  the  Governor, 
whom,  they  on  arrival,  were  informed,  had  left  the  seat 
of  government  some  days  previous,  on  an  excursion 
through  the  remote  parts  of  his  government — perhaps 
a  visit  to  Lower  Canada — and  would  not  return  until 
after  the  expiration  of  the  time  determined  upon  for 
our  execution.     From  Toronto,  my  father's  ill  health 
obliged  him  to  return;  but  the  benevolent  Mr.  Johnson 
continued  on  to  Kingston,  vainly  hoping  to  meet  or 
hear  from  Arthur  there.     He  too  returned,  well  con- 


)! 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


57 


f^S 


vinccd  that  the  Governor  hai  designedly  left  Toronto, 
at  that  critical  moment,  to  e\adc  a  recurrence  of  the 
like  appeals  in  this  case,  which  had  given  him  so  much 
annoyance,  and  the  people  so  much  reason  for  censure, 
in  the  cases  of  the  lamented  Lount  and  Matthews;  and 
the  subsequent  conduct  of  his  Excellency  seems  to 
place  such  convictions  beyond  a  doubt. 

Preparations  were  making  for  the  final  performan- 
ces, and  a  Jack  Ketch  forwarded  from  Toronto,  to  do 
a  deed  for  us  he  had  done  for  Lount  and  Mathews. 
This  was  a  precaution  taken  by  the  JSherilf  to  prevent 
the  necessity  of  acting  himself  as  executioner,  which 
he  did  in  ^Morrow's  case,  after  a  hundred  dollar  bribe 
had  failed  to  induce  a  black  man  to  act  for  him.  Th' -^ 
Jack  was  kept  about  the  jail,  not  daring  to  leave  it  until 
It  was  found  there  would  be  no  "work  in  his  way," 
when  he  was  driven  from  the  yard  and  never  after 
heard  of. 

The  22d  brought  j\Irs.  AVait  from  Quebec  with  m- 
telligence  of  a  respite,  but  no  intimation  of  it  had  been 
made  at  the  proper  ofFice.  She  went  to  Toronto  on 
the  following  day,  but  no  satisfaction  was  to  be  given 
her  there,  as  you  v/ill  see  by  her  letter.  The  final 
day  arrived — the  hour  came  that  limited  the  time — 
and  at  last  12 i  brought  the  SherifT  from  Kingston, 
where,  after  he  had  delivered  the  prisoners  at  Fort 
Henry,  he  met  the  Governor,  whom  he  waited  on  and 
inquired  "what  must  be  done  for  the  poor  men  in  Ni- 
agara, for  whom  he  hoped  a  respite  might  be  exten- 
ded?" Sir  George  detained  him  until  the  last  boat 
upward  bound  for  the  day,  had  put  off,  then  gave  him 


i'     ■*• 


m 


'i'  lir 


.  «!''fl 


i 


in 

fill 

I':; 


■'T*.l 


■||i{|l' 


I! 

"ill 


■:il    I 


■''{'■ 

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;|' 


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t'*i«il:'! 


i!!^ 


58 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


an  order.  Should  he  wait  until  the  following  day,  the 
hour  for  our  execution  would  be  passed  at  his  peril; 
and  the  execution  of  Morrow  had  made  such  an  im- 
pression upon  his  mind,  that  ho  was  glad  of  the  res- 
pite, and  determined  to  make  an  clfort  to  obtain  the 
Governor's  boat;  in  which  he  was  successful  after 
considerable  altercation,  and  succcoded  in  gaining  the 
Niagara  dock  at  half  past  twelve,  1\  M.,  where  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Crcen  met  and  received  the  happy  tidings,  which 
he  comminiicated  to  us  as  soon  as  possible.  It  would 
appear  by  this  elusive  conduct  of  the  Governor,  that 
he  had  dolormincd  to  execute  us  at  all  hazards,  and 
then  lav  the  blame  at  the  door  of  some  of  his  officials, 
for  he  wished  it  believed  that  he  had  loft  an  order  for 
a  respite  in  Toronto;  and  no  doubt,  had  this  ruse  suc- 
ceeded, a  despatch  charging  the  blame  to  some  petty 
official,  would  have  been  a  full  exculpation  for  him  in 
Downing  Strccit;  but  his  temerity  was  scarce  adequate 
to  this  stop.  Tiio  respite  extended  to  six  days  only, 
yet  it  created  a  complete  reversion  in  my  breast;  fori 
had  never  known  but  few  cases  of  an  execution  taking 
place  after  a  respite  had  once  been  granted.  So  I  thought 
no  more  of  being  "hung,"  but  set  myself  at  work  vigo- 
rously to  oppose  transportation,  which  I  knew  to  bo 
illegal. 

But  I  must  here  close,  to  give  room  for  Mrs.  Wait^s 

communication. 

I  remain,  dear  sir. 

Yours,  &c.  &c. 


J:. 


.^M0 


MRS.  WAIT  S  LETTER. 


5» 


day,  tho 

lis  peril; 

I  an  im- 

the  res- 

)tain  tho 

"ul    after 

ning  the 

the  Rev. 

5,  which 

It  would 

or,  that 

•ds,  and 

DfTicials, 

rder  for 

use  suc- 

le  petty 

him  in 

Icquate 

5  only, 

.   fori 

taking 

bought 

k  vigo- 

V  to  bo 

Wait'a 


&c. 


it 


LETTER  III. 

MRS.   wait's  appeal  TO  LORD  DURHAM. 

Niagara,  U.  C,  October  15,  1838. 
My  ^     I.       icnd, 

During  ..  j  trial  of  my  :  u  ind,  I  had  vainly  hoped 
the  jury  would,  as  they  were  inclined,  fnid  some  tech- 
nical point  on  which  to  hang  a  pica  for  acquittal,  but 
with  no  other  reason  than  tho  fond  dcsiro  of  an  ex- 
cited and  anxious  mind.  Tho  fut-il  verdict  aroused  me 
from  this  delusion,  and  1  at  once  dotennincd  to  pro- 
ceed to  Quebec,  procure,  if  possible,  an  interview 
with  the  Earl  of  Durham,  and  plead  with  all  the  en- 
ergy of  an  afllictod  heart,  for  the  life  of  him  with 
whose  destiny  mine  was  so  nearly  linked. 

Therefore,  I  set  about,  with  the  ujnost  alacrity,  pre- 
paring for  the  arduous  duty.  On  tho  evening  after 
the  sentence  of  death  was  pronounced,  I  conniiunica- 
ted  to  my  husband's  attorney,  my  intention  of  appeal- 
ing to  Lord  Durham;  but  he  thought  that  his  Lordship 
would  not  interfere  witli  the  administration  of  Sir 
George  Arthur,  who  would  doubtless  feel  the  more  ex- 
asperated by  an  appeal  to  his  superior  in  authority. 
This,  too,  was  the  opinion  of  all  those  to  whom  I  had 
looked  for  counsel;  and  even  their  entreaties  were  used 
to  prevent  my  leaving  Niagara.  They  argued,  that 
as  the  time  allotted  for  my  husband  to  live  was  short, 
I  had  better  remain  and  afford  him  all  the  consolation 
in  my  power:  I  had  an  infant,  also,  whose  life  might  be 
endangered,  either  by  speedy  travelling,  at  that  season 


\4 


'"  'm 


:  w 


■    '.  * 


mM^^. 


,.1,'l.i  I 


1.!' 


mm 


■■^■vM 


jwi 


\:\  >!' 


lU* 


V'ii 


lllii 


60 


MRS.    wait's    letter. 


of  the  year,  or  b_v  being  deprived  of  her  natural  nour- 
ishment, in  case  I  left  her;  tliat  petitions  would  as- 
suredly be  forwarded  to  Sir  George,  and  every  thing 
possible  done  for  the  unhapp}  prisoners. 

These  were  the  persuasions  adduced;  but  far  was 
it  from  me  to  delay,  and  vainly  seek  the  life  of  my 
husband  at  the  blood-stained  hands  of  Arthur,  from 
whom  I  could  not  expect  even  a  particle  of  mercy. 
My  ])abe  was  kissed,  left  with  a  (Vicnd,  and  committed 
to  the  protecting  care  of  Him  who  ever  watches  over 
the  orphan  and  the  widow,  for  even  this,  we  had  too 
much  reason  to  fear,  would  be  our  lot,  and  which,  if. 
j)ossiblc,  I  was  determined  to  make  a  desperate  effort 
to  prevent.  It  was  considered  perfectly  useless  to 
entertain  the  slightest  hop  '^r  the  life,  either  of  Mr. 
\\''ait  or  Illr.  Chandler,  the  former  being  marked  by 
the  Governor,  as  I  was  repeatedly  told,  for  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  law,  while  the  latter,  on  account  of  his 
advanced  age,  could  not  possibly  expect  a  commuta- 
tion. I  felt  much  afTccted  by  the  fate  of  Mr.  C,  on 
account  of  his  large  family,  (a  wife  and  ten  children) 
therefore  proposed  to  his  eldest  daughter,  then  at  Ni- 
agara, to  accompany  itie,  on  behalf  of  her  unfortu- 
nate parent;  and  if  we  could  but  get  his  Lordship  to 
lend  an  ear  to  our  applications,  we  need  not  then  fear 
that  the  lives  of  any  of  the  others  would  be  sacrificed, 
as  had  been  that  of  the  gallant  and  noble  Morrow,  who 
was  yet  scarce  cold  in  his  narrow  bed. 

Miss  C.  acceded  to  my  entreaties,  provided  it  would 
meet  the  approbation  of  her  father's  friends,  whom 
she  consulted  immediately.     They  readilv  assented  to 


< 


i#. 


I 


MRS.    WAITS    LETTER. 


01 


ral  nour- 
^ould  as- 
ly  thing 

far  was 

D  of  my 

r,  from 

mercy. 

inmittcd 

les  over 

had  too 

hich,  if 

0  effort 

ilcss   to 

of  Mr. 

'kcd  by 

the  cx- 

of  his 

nmuta- 

C,  on 

Idrcn) 

at  Ni- 

ifortu- 

ihip  to 

n  fear 

ificed, 

,  who 

would 
ivhom 
ted  to 


tho  design,  and  made  out  the  necessary  documents. 
But  soon  suggested  that  two  appeals  might  preclude 
the  possibility  of  either  being  elfeclive;  consequently, 
it  was  urged  by  them,  that  his  Lordship  would  more 
likely  be  struck  with  the  novelty  of  a  daughter  asking 
for  the  life  of  her  father,  than  a  wife  for  that  of  her  hus- 
band. This  was  poor  reasoning  to  me,  as  I  could  not 
trust  the  life  of  my  husband  to  the  pleadings  of  any 
but  myself;  much  less  to  those  of  an  inexperienced 
girl  of  eighteen;  although  I  much  admired  the  filial 
tenderness  which  led  her  to  make  all  the  efforts  she 
was  capable  uf,  to  save  her  father. 

An  interest  was  soon  excited,  and  a  subscription  ta- 
ken up  to  bear  the  expenses  of  Miss  C.  to  (iuebec, 
with  letters  of  introduction,  and  so  forth;  no  kindness, 
at  the  same  time,  being  extended  to  me,  in  whom  tho 
project  originated,  and  who  had  invited  Miss  C.  to  ac- 
company me,  although  I  was  nearly  penniless,  which 
was  known,  not  being  near  a  friend  to  whom  1  might 
apply  for  assistance;  for,  indeed,  Mr.  Wait's  nearest 
friends,  who  had  come  to  Niagara  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  aiding  me,  were  induced  to  withhold  even  their 
countenance,  by  the  representations  made,  that  if  I 
acted  at  all,  it  would  rather  be  prejudicial  than  advanta- 
geous to  my  husband,  on  account  of  my  having,  also,  ex- 
cited the  enmity  of  the  Government.  But  yet  I  did  not 
fear  being  provided  for,  in  an  effort  of  aflectionatc  du- 
ty, such  as  was  then  before  me,  and  often  since  has 
my  heart  overflowed  with  gratitude  to  God,  for  the  sus- 
taining strength  given  me  at  that  trying  period.  I  was 
permitted  to  see  my  poor  husband  for  one  moment* 


I 


%m 


,K 


m 


if 

W 


m 


s 


,—lf^'  ' .. 


mil 


02 


MRS.    wait's    letter. 


ai4::| 


.'■In;;  bi 


^!,  III      iM, 


.i"iii|  '■  m,. 


,1:1 


1  :  i. 


that  I  might  bid  him  adieu  'crc  I  left.  I  endeavored  to 
administer  con^oiation,  by  encouraging  a  hope  in  a 
happy  issuo  of  my  suit  with  Lord  Durham,  if  I  could 
but  be  permitted  to  reach  hiui;  and  commending  him 
to  the  care  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  1  tore  myself 
from  him  to  embark  f«^r  Quebec. 

I  had  one  more  painful  duty  to  perform,  before  I 
left  Niagara,  which  was  to  Leg  of  Dr.  Porter,  the 
prison  surgeon,  that  in  case  my  hu^band  should  be  ex- 
ecuted before  my  return,  he  would  endeavor  to  pre- 
vent that  part  of  the  horrid  sentence  which  gave  his 
body  to  dissection,  from  being  carried  into  effect,  and 
that  his  remains  might  be  given  to  his  friends  for  in- 
terment. Dr.  Porter  assured  me,  that  as  far  as  his 
influence  would  extend,  I  need  not  fear  the  reverse; 
and  he,  though  evidently  friendly,  thought  I  had  better 
remain,  as  he  feared  the  Government  might  rather 
be  exasperated  by  an  application  from  me,  whose  po- 
litical sentiments  they  had  so  clearly  understood,  from 
certain  letters  captured  with,  and  taken  from  the  pock- 
ets of  Mr.  Wait.  Still  I  was  not  to  be  deterred  i'rom  my 
object;  confident  in  the  rectitude  of  my  course,  I  fear- 
ed no  evil;  but  passing  immediately  to  the  place  of  em- 
barkation, where  I  found  Miss  C,  with  some  of  her 
friends,  who  were  there  to  see  her  safe  on  board.  James 
Boulton,  Mr.  C's.  attorney,  was  to  acconipany  her  to 
'J'oronto,  who  had  taken  occasion  to  use  very  ungen- 
tlemanly  language,  in  his  efibrts  to  persuade  me  not  to 
think  of  going,  for  the  above  reasons,  as  well  as  oth- 
ers. I  would  ruin  the  cause  of  his  client,  and  finally 
prevent  the  Government  from  doing  ariything  for  the 


■ii* 


p  A 


MRS.    WAITS    LKTTER. 


63 


vored  to 

'1 

pe  in  a 

I  could 

'■  '■. 

rig  him 

myself 

before  I 

cr,    the 

d  be  cx- 

lo  p  re- 

ave his 

ct,  and 

for  in- 

'  as  his 

0 verso; 

i  belter 

« 

rather 

)se  po- 

1,  from 

pock- 

om  my            ' 

I  fear- 

of  em- 

.     .-.(; 

>f  her 

4     '■■    W 

James 

'  ■! 

her  to 

ngon- 

not  to 

s  oth- 

'  '^^-K 

nally 

M 

)r  the 

inhj 


mcrs 


» 


he  termed  them,  in  mock  com- 
misscralion;  and  truly,  indeed,  would  the  secret  wish- 
es of  his  unfeeling  heart  for  *'those  unhappy  prison- 
ers," have  been  rcaliz(;d,  had  1  listoncul  for  a  moment 
to  their  pcMvsuasion.s,  and  allowed  IMiss  C.  fo  proceed 
alone,  to  lay  the  case  at  the  fjet  of  Lord  1). 

Here  was  also  Judge  IIutler,  a  descendant  of  the 
ROYAL  LINE,  of  Wijoiiiuig  notorlchj.  IJe,  too,  '■''felt  a 
deep  interest  for  the  success  of  the  mission,  and  won- 
doiK'd  how  a  woman,  who,  [us  he  had  been  in  formed,  J 
manifested  a  good  degree  of  sense  on  ordinary  occa- 
sions, could  thus  be  so  mad-hraincd  as  to  persist  in  ex- 
citing the  still  greater  fury  of  the  Goveruinent,  by 
personally  seeking  their  mercy,  despite  the  advico 
and  opinion  of  all  her  fricnds^^^  as  he  was  ))leased  to 
term  them.  To  u!l  of  which  I  had  but  one  reply  to 
make,  which  was,  that  the  path  of  duty  was  before 
mc,  from  which  I  would  not  be  driven  by  f')iy  persua- 
sion whatever,  and  should  I  jiave  no  other  friend,  I 
trusted  that  God  would  aid  me,  not  only  in  surmount- 
ing the  obstacles  thus  thrown  in  my  way,  but  finally 
in  accomplishing  my  purpose.  If  they  thought  proper, 
Miss  C.  could  go  in  another  conveyance,  but  whether 
she  went  or  stayed,  would  make  no  difference  with 
me. 

The  boll  rang,  I  stepped  on  the  boat:  Mr.  Boulton 
introduced  IMiss  C.  to  Capt.  Richardson,  who  kindly 
gave  her  a  passage  to  Toronto,  presented  her  with 
four  dollars,  and  a  letter  of  introduction  to  Capt.  Moo- 
dy, of  the  St.  George;  Capt.  Richardson  not  knowing, 
at  the  same  time,  as  he  told  me,   on  my  return,  that  I 


VX^d 


s 


Ml    fj 


h'  'i'- 


ij  ■ 


h.l « 


A      ^l> 


H  '\4^ 


64 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER. 


'•'\r 


"1! 


'■t  '  ;i 


;' 


was  on  Ijoard  of  liis  boat  at  all,  of  which,  had  ho 
been  informed,  ho  would  most  assuredly  have  i)ocn 
happy  in  extending  tho  same  kindnr  ss  to  nic  tiiat  he 
had  so  generously  done  to  Miss  Chandler.  The  St. 
Oeorgc  was  to  sail  at  nine  in  the  morning,  for  Kings- 
ton. VVe  were  on  board  by  half  past  seven,  leaving 
time  to  reflect  on  the  sad  prospect  before  mo,  which 
agonized  still  more  my  mind,  already  on  the  verge  of 
distraction.  1  was  now  about  leaving  that  part  of  tho 
country  whore  I  might  hope  to  meet  a  friend  or  ac- 
quaintance, who  could  assist  mo  on  the  journey  of  sev- 
en hundred  miles,  undertaken  with  scarce  sufficient 
means  to  accomplish  it,  much  less  to  return  "ere  thf 
die  might  be  cast.  As  these  melancholy  reflec- 
tions crowded  themselves  upon  me,  tho  enquiry 
aroso,  might  I  not  find  some  kind  friend  to  humanity 
in  Toronto,  before  the  sailing  hour  arrived.  I  resolv- 
ed at  once,  went  on  shore,  and  requested  direction  to 
the  residence  of  Jesse  Ketchum,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  I 
well  knew  by  reputation,  and  whom  I  had  once  seen 
at  my  father's  house,  on  a  visit  to  the  lamented  Major 
Randal. 

I  saw  Mr.  K. — lold  him  my  circumstances,  and  the 
object  of  my  mission.  Ho  introduced  me  to  his  inte- 
resting and  accomplished  lady,  who  kindly  insisted  on 
my  breakfasting  with  them,  as  I  could  hcor  the  bell 
there,  and  reach  the  boat  in  time. 

Mr.  K.  read  a  few  verses  of  consolation  from  the 
sacred  page.  I  united  with  them  in  their  morning 
worship;  and  grateful  indeed,  to  my  agonized  heart, 
was  the  privilege  of  thus  pouring  out  my  soul  to  God 


-■V 

*4 


?■  'i. 


.:'•!  ill 


\,,i\  \i 


MR8.    WAIT^fl    LETTKU. 


CO 


t  luui  lie 
lavc  been 
10  tlint  ho 

The  St. 
)!•  Kings- 
.  leaving 
0,  which 

verge  of 
rt  of  the 
1(1  or  ac- 
y  oC  scv- 
sufricient 

'ore  tlic 
rcflec- 

enquiry 
lumanity 
I  resolv- 
:ction  to 

leman  I 
ice  seen 

cl  Major 

xnd  the 
his  into- 
isted  on 
the  boll 

L'om  the 

norning 

heart, 

to  God 


■n 


m  unison  with  those  dear  friends,  who  shed  the  tear 
of  sympathy  with  ino,  and  implored  th(5  Father  of 
mercies  to  bestow  his  gracious  blessing.  While  at 
breakfast,  Mr.  K.  kindly  asked  me  to  accept  of  ten 
doilars  us  an  assistant,  whicli  I  received,  as  a  kiiiduosM 
jVinn  heaven.  I  arose,  I)ade  them  good  morning,  and 
with  a  heart  overflowing  with  gratitude,  proceeded  to 
the  boat. 

Al'ter  leaving  our  moorings^  I  sent  for  C;  pt.  Moody, 
ruid  told  him,  that  as  Miss  C.  and  nivsi  If  were  under 
the  necessity  of  travelling  alone,  \so  Ix  gged  the  (avor 
of  placing  ourselve'S  under  his  prot:ction.  iMiss  C. 
presented  her  letter  from  Ca[)t.  U.,  whirh  informed 
him  of  her  peculiar  circumstances,  vv}  wo  were  )'  -th 
treated  with  every  kindness  and  att(  nu  n  by  the  gen- 
tlemanly Captain. 

On  the  following  morning  we  arrived  at  Kingston, 
and  were  safely  placed  on  board  a  small  steamer,  to 
riescend  the  St.  liawrence;  down  v/hich  wo  glided, 
amid  the  many  picturesque  islands,  that  form  a  con- 
spicuous feature  in  its  bewitching  scenery,  but  which, 
to  my  anxious  heart,  could  convey  scarce  one  pleasing 
sensation,  absorbed  as  I  vas.  with  feelings  of  so  dis- 
tressing a  nature;  thougl;  ihey,  together  with  the 
pleasing  conversation  of  an  interesting  family  from 
Philadelphia,  who  wei  j  travelling  for  pleasure,  and 
were  very  kind  in  Uioir  attentions,  served  in  a  measure 
to  alleviate;  and  I  could  look  around  me  with,  as  I 
supposed,  a  species  of  calmness  even  wonderful  to 
myself.  At  the  head  of  the  Long  Soult,  wo  took 
the  stage   to  Cornwall;  and    as    it   was    deemed  im- 


,'■'  * 


r 


5 


■'T'  ' 


S  .1' 


u 

It: 


!ilk 

i 


rM:M!i 


mm 


!:!■!;■ 


'    !■ 


i^^ 


'i:i:f 


I    v.  ■ 


66 


MRS.    wait's    letter. 


practicable  to  descend  the  rapids,  we  were  alternately 
on  water  and  land,  until  we  reached  Montreal.  I  was 
much  struck  witli  the  sameness  of  the  quiet  little 
white-washed  houses  of  the  French  habitans,  which 
seemed  only  relieved  by  the  occasional  residence  of  tho 
land  owner,  called  the  Scniour,  and  a  catholic  cross 
planted  in  the  ground  hero  and  there,  generally  at 
cross  roads.  It  was  in  August;  and  flowers  were  visi~ 
blc,  in  great  ju-ofusion,  in  and  about  tliose  humble 
dwellings;  the  sash  being  thrown  open,  the  window 
sills  were  filled  with  blooming  geraniums,  and  other 
exotic,  as  well  as  domestic  plants,  which  at  once  dis- 
played a  most  pleasing  sight  to-tho  traveller,  perfumed 
the  atmosphere  with  tlieir  fragrance,  and  gave  evi- 
dence of  a  refined  taste  in  the  cultivators  of  those  beau- 
ties of  nature. 

We  reached  Montreal  at  eve,  and  left  immediately, 
per  steam  boat,  for  Sorcllc,  a  small  village,  formerly 
called  William  Ilonrv,  and  situated  on  the  Sorelle 
river.  This  place  being  the  residence  of  Sir  John 
Colborne,  to  whose  son  Miss  C.  had  a  letter,  asking 
his  influence  at  Quebec,  which  she  wished  to  deliver; 
she  requested  mo  to  remain  there  with  her  until  the 
next  boat,  to  which  I  acceded,  hoping  that  I  also  might 
have  an  opportunity  to  obtain  the  interest  of  Major 
Colborne.  Wc  accordingly  went  up  to  Sir  John's. 
The  Major  was  not  at  homo,  but  Miss  C.  left  her  let- 
tor,  to  call  for  an  answer.  I  called  with  her — Major 
G.  came  out  and  gave  Miss  C.  a  letter  to  Col  Couper, 
the  aid-de-camp  in  waiting,  upon  the  Governor  Gene- 
ral.    I  begged  Miss  C.  to  introduce  me;  butshedecli- 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER. 


iernately 
.  I  was 
ict  little 
!,  which 
le  of  the 
ic  cross 
;rallv  at 
ere  visi- 
h  Limbic 
window 
id  other 
nee  dis- 
crfumed 
ive  c vi- 
se bcau- 

idiately, 
Drmcrly 

Sorelle 
ir  John 

asking 
deliver; 
ntil  the 
0  might 

Major 
John's, 
her  let- 
-Major 

ouper, 
•  Gene- 
e  decli- 


ned, either  from  excessive  bashfulncss,  or  some  other 
reason  unknown  to  me;  consequently  I  was  still  left 
without  a  line  of  introduction,  recommendation,  or  any 
thing,  savo  my  own  determination  to  eirect  the  object 
if  possible,  let  the  obstacles  be  what  they  might. 

About  nine  in  the  morning  we  reached  Quebec — left 
our  trunks  on  board,  and  proceeded  immediately  to  the 
Castle  St.  Louis,  th^n  the  residence  of  Lord  Durham. 
\Vc  enquired  the  \v.y  to  the  receiving  room,  and  re- 
quested to  sec  Col  Coupcr,  who  soon  made  his  appear- 
ance; upon  whicli  Miss  C.  presented  her  letter,  while 
I  told  Col.  C.  that,  although  I  had  not  been  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  bring  letters  of  introduction,  yet  I  had  come 
to  memorialize  Lord  Durham  in  behalf  of  a  youthful 
and  suilering  husband  under  sentence  of  death,  and 
hoped  that  I  might  bo  permitted  to  present  my  petition 
to  his  Lordship.  Col.  C.  thought  that  the  Earl  would 
not  be  able  to  sec  me,  as  he  was  sufKjring  from  head 
ache,  with  other  indisposition,  lie  took  Miss  C's  peti- 
tion and  waited  upon  his  Lordship,  informing  mo  on 
his  return,  that  the  Governor  General  was  then  unable 
to  give  his  attention  to  the  matter;  but  if  I  would  leave 
my  memorial.  Lord  D.  would  consider  it,  and  send  the 
result  to  my  lodgings;  to  which  I  replied,  that  we  had 
but  just  arrived — as  yet  had  no  lodgings,  and  with  Ids 
permission,  would  call  for  an  answer.  Ten  the  fol- 
lowing morning  was  the  hour  appointed,  and  we  again 
wended  our  way  to  the  steam  boat. 

As  we  were  in  a  strange  city,  and  knew  not  whore 
to  find  a  respectable  house  that  might  suit  circumstan- 
ces, and  hoping  to  be  able  to  return  with  the  boat  the 


m 

i 


Mi 


•"'Ifif* 


!ll;; 


■im 


:i*;pf; 


liltn; 


\w- 


'i\u 


'{M^m 


>:']<■ 


.ll" 


r;. 


J;il! 


68 


MRS.    WAIT'S    LETTER. 


next  evening  at  high  tide,  I  asked  the  Captain's  per- 
mission to  remain  on  board,  which  he  readily  gave;  and 
as  his  lady's  society  enlivened  our  meals,  we  were 
very  comfortable,  there  being  a  most  excellent  Stew- 
ardess on  board. 

This  anxious  day  and  night  passed  oiT,  and  ten  in 
the  morning  found  us  again  at  the  Castle,  where  we 
wore  informed  by  Col.  C.  tiiat  Lord  D.  in  council,  had 
not  yet  decided  on  the  subject  of  our  memorials;  to 
which  I  replied,  that  1  most  sincerely  trusted  his  Lord- 
ship would  be  pleased  to  do  so  that  day,  as  did  I  not 
leave  (iucbec  at  night  with  the  boat,  I  could  not  reach 
Niagara  but  to  find  my  husband  a  mangled  corpse;  and 
I  had  every  confidence  that  Lord  D.,  who  had  already 
opened  the  prison  doors  in  Lower  Canada,  and  set  the 
suffering  captives  at  large,  would  now  extend  that 
clemency  in  his  power,  to  our  friends,  and  at  least 
spare  the  lives  of  those  for  whom  we  supplicated.  Col. 
C.  hoped  we  might  get  an  answer  by  four  P.  i\I.  and 
we  left  to  return  then;  our  feelings  in  the  mean  time, 
being  more  easily  conceived  than  described. 

In  our  way  to  the  wharf,  where  our  asylum  was 
moored,  I  resolved  to  make  at  least  a  grand  effort,  that 
day,  to  procure  the  reply,  should  it  not  be  in  readiness 
at  four,  although  I  had  no  means  of  doing  so  but  by 
my  entreaties  with  Col.  Couper,  unless  J  could  obtain 
an  interview  with  Mr.  Duller,  Private  Secretary  to  the 
Gov.  Gen'l  which  I  hoped  to  do.  As  I  was  thus  medita- 
ting on  the  subject  nearest  my  heart,  and  trusting  that 
God  in  his  mercy  would  overrule  all  for  the  best,  we 
were  asked  by  a  Canadian  who  stood  near  a  calcche,  if 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER. 


G9 


'*-  j^ 


w:;  >vOuld  like  to  ride  round  the  city  ?     Yes,  was  the 
reply;  and  thankfid  was  I  that  any  thing  had  ofTered 
to  relieve  tlie  sad  tedium  hctwcen  that  hour  and  four. 
We  rattled  through  the   streets,  the  principal  edifices 
on  which,  our  good  guide  described  in.liis  best   Eng- 
lish,   and    soon  drove  us  to   the  memorable  Plains  of 
Abraham.   We  stood  for  a  moment  on  the  battle  ground 
where  the  brave  Wolf  and  Montcalm  had  so  gallantly 
yielded  up   their  lives  to  llim  who  gave  them,  and 
seating  ourselves  again,  were  driven,  with  the  permis- 
sion of  the  Town  Major,  to  the  celebrated  Citadel,  and 
foimd  ourselves  within  the  impregnable  walls  of  Cape 
Diamond,  which  were  lined  with  artillery  and  the  ne- 
cessary munitions  of  war,  far  surpassing,  in  strength, 
any  thing  I  could  have  conceived  of  it  from  desciip- 
tion,  however  minute.  We  ascended  the  battery,  form- 
ing the  summit  of  the  immense  precipice;  and  gazed 
upon  the  smooth  bed  of  the  St.  Lawrence  lying  far  be- 
neath, with  the  beautiful  Island  of  Orleans  resting  up- 
on its  bosom,  amid  other  surrounding  scenery  equally 
picturesque.     While  I  contemplated  with  admiration 
the  union  of  nature  and  art,  in  forming  so  wonderful 
and  magnificent  a  fortress,  the  conversation  of  a  cou- 
ple of  strangers  who  stood  near,  at  once  aroused  me, 
as    you  may  suppose,  from  the  subject,   to  the  most 
painful  emotions;  for,  said  one,  pointing  to  a  gloomy 
and  dismal  part  of  the  Citadel,  "there  is  the  prison  of 
those  rebels  from  Upper  Canada,^'  naming  at  the  same 
time,  those  who  wei'e  confined  there.  "x\t  what  hour  are 
they  allowed  to  walk?"  inquired  the  other.    ♦*At  five" 
was  the  reply,  *<they  are  each  permitted  to  take  a  half 


m 


'  '-a  'ij 


^M  I 


.:( 


■jrfy' 


■'If"'' 


'iiiiii 


70 


MRS.    ^VAIT^S    LETTER. 


"i.li' 


mm 

mm: 


ffM 


:M'' 


'.•;il 


,!i5'i| 


::l  !]• 


!11^> 


)•     .> 


'm 


hour's  exercise."  And  must  the  brave  spirits  of  Can- 
ada, thought  I,  even  in  this  place  of  undoubted  secu- 
rity, be  shut  from  the  light  of  heaven,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  half  liour  in  the  twenty-four,  in  that 
earthy  abode,  .(for  their  prison  appeared  literally  a 
part  of  the  battery,)  and  that,  too,  for  the  crime  of 
resisting  oppression?  If  in  the  nineteenth  century,  and 
on  the  western  shores  of  tlio  Atlantic,  it  must  still  bo 
considered  a  crime,  by  the  minions  of  royalty;  Yea, 
thus  it  is;  and  but  a  fjw  days  more  will  consign  my 
own  dear  husband  to  an  early  grave  for  the  same 
offence,  if  mercy  stays  not  the  hand  of  the  execu- 
tioner. 

Perceiving,  at  the  close  of  this  painful  soliloquy, 
that  the  hour  of  four  was  drawing  near,  we  resumed 
our  caleche,  and  with  palpitating  hearts,  reached  the 
waiting  room  at  the  Castle.  Col.  C.  soon  appeared, 
and  was  sorry  to  say  he  had,  as  yet,  received  no 
communication  from  Lord  D.,  but  still  hoped  that  his 
Lordship  would  be  enabled  to  give  an  answer  before 
the  hour  for  sailing;  wliich  Col.  C.  very  kindly  of- 
fered to  send  to  the  boat  immediately  on  the  receipt  of 
the  same.  I  begged  the  favor  of  an  interview  with 
Mr.  Buller — Mr.  B.  was  engaged — poor  Miss  C.  sat 
pale  and  in  tears,  while  1  took  the  liberty  to  si  y 
that,  if  Col.  C.  would  permit  me,  I  should  esteem 
it  a  privilege  to  sit  there  until  his  Lordship  was 
pleased  to  give  a  reply — that  the  time  had  now  arri- 
ved when  further  delay  would  be  adequate  to  a  refusal 
of  Lord  D.  to  grant  a  commutation;  and  in  that  case 
we  could  expect  to  return  in  time  only  to  embrace 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER. 


71 


the  lifeless  bodies  of  tiioso  wo  loved,  'ero  they  wore 
laid  in  their  tombs;  and  I  coxild  not  leavo  that  place 
until  his  Lordship  did  listen  to  my  entreaties,  and  spare 
me  the  awful  alternative.  Col.  C's  humane  counte- 
nance glowed  vvith  compassion;  he  ordered  a  glass  of 
wine  and  water  for  me,  and  left  the  room;  while  with 
our  agitated  hearts  raised  to  (jod,  wo  awaited  his  re- 
turn in  almost  breathless  suspense;  and  thanks  to 
our  heavenly  Fatlier,  wc  were  not  long  liius  to  suffer. 
The  crisis  was  passed,  as  the  smiling  countenance  of 
Col.  C.  evinced  on  his  reappearance,  when  he  told  us 
tliat,  although  Lord  Durham,  ns  Governor  General, 
could  not  grant  a  free  pardon  to  our  friends  without 
an  investigation  of  their  cases,  yet  he  would  order  a 
commutation,  or  at  least,  stay  the  execution  until  the 
relative  documents  coidd  be  transmitted  to  him  for  his 
own  examination;  to  which  effect  his  Lordship  would 
give  us  a  letter  to  Sir  George  Arthur,  requesting 
him  to  rest  for  a  time,  in  his  sanguinary  career;  and 
also,  said  Col.  C,  "a  special  messenger  will  accom- 
pany you  with  a  private  despatch  to  the  Lt.  Governor." 
Thus,  my  dear  friend,  were  the  precious  lives  of  our 
loved  ones  spared;  and  wc,  returning  thanks  for  the 
kindness  and  mercy  extended,  entered  our  cabins  with 
lighter  hearts  than  wo  had  left  them  in  the  morning. 

Wc  were  in  transports  when  we  got  under  weigh, 
having  already,  in  imagination,  conveyed  the  happy 
intelligence  to  the  sufferers;  however,  wc  could  not  so 
speedily  travel  in  person,  and  bore  the  necessary  delay 
as  well  as  possible.  On  arriving  at  Montreal,  I  was  in- 
formed by  the  captain,  that  a  Mr.  Simpson,  M.  P.  of  the 


:i;lli11 


!'■ 


•Xn 


■•f^' 


72 


MRS.    WAlT^S    LETTER. 


mm 


i ;; 


mm 

ill  fi};'(. 


"'    -  III  ■!  It' 

:Sf:;    i'll''' 


-rii 


nu 


■infii! 


■;:  I 


:',j    :i 


1..'^! 


Milt  IS i 


Lower  Province,  who  had  seen  mc  at  Quebec,  was  on 
board,  and  wished  an  introduction,  to  which  I  assent- 
ed, and  recognized,  immediately,  a  gentleman  whon^ 
f  had  seen  at  the  Castle  Hi.  Louis,  engaged  in  the  bu- 
siness of  the  place.  He  told  me  that  ho  resided  at 
Coto-Du-Lac,  that  he  was  aware  of  the  object  of  our 
mission,  and  compassionated  our  distress  and  loneli- 
ness, kindly  offering  his  protection  as  far  as  his  home;  at 
the  same  time  informing  us  that  Sir  George  Arthur  wa?; 
then  on  a  visiting  tour  through  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try, and  hoped  we  might  meet  with  him  without  mucli 
delay.  Yet  the  possibility  of  passing  him  on  the  way 
was  indeed  cause  of  much  anxiotv,  but  which  was  re- 
peatcdly  allayed  by  the  kind  enquiries  of  Mr.  S.  at 
every  stopping  place,  assuring  us  that  we  had  not  yet 
passed  him,  and  indeed  a  kind  providence  had  willed 
that  we  should  not.  But  to  return:  this  gentleman-, 
prompted  by  the  kindness  and  generosity  of  his  hearty 
enquired  if  1  had  still  sufficient  means  to  roach  homoj 
and  on  being  informed  of  the  extent  of  my  funds,  in- 
sisted upon  my  accepting  at  least  twenty  dollars,  and 
assured  me  that  he  was  most  happy  to  have  it  in  his 
power  to  alleviate  even  that  portion  of  my  distress. 
Again  my  heart  rose  in  gratitude  for  this  fresh  man- 
ifestation of  the  care  of  Providence,  and  giving  the 
half  of  the  above  kind  donation  to  Miss  Chandler, 
wc  felt  at  ease  once  more  in  regard  to  pecuniary 
difficulties. 

We  reached  Coto-Du-Lac  that  evening,  where  to  our 
inexpressible  satisfaction,  we  found  the  steamboat  that 
was  to  convey  us  to  Cornwall  waiting  for  the  arrival 


MRS.    WAIT'S    LETTKR. 


T» 


of  Sir  George,  who  was  liourly  expected.  As  our 
kind  friend  was  now  to  leave  us,  he  gave  us  his  coun- 
sel, and  wc  awaited  the  approach  of  the  (lovernor, 
who  did  not,  however,  in  consequence  of  Fome  delay, 
reach  there  until  about  eight  the  following  morning,  when 
we  soon  left  our  moorings,  and  giving  the  messenger 
time  to  deliver  his  despatch  from  Lord  Durham,  i 
made  preparations  to  seek  an  interview,  and  wished 
the  captain  of  the  boat  to  give  me  an  introduction  to 
the  Aid  in  attendance.  He  accordingly  brought  Major 
Arthur,  the  son  of  Sir  Geortie,  whom  I  informed  that 
I  was  the  bearer  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Durham  to- the 
Governor,  which  I  begged  the  favor  of  presenting, 
and  hoped  he  would  grant  me  an  interview.  The  aid 
left  to  acquaint  his  father  w^lh  the  reqvicst,  and  return- 
ed, saying  that  the  Governor  would  sec  us  in  the  la- 
dies' cabin.  The  captain  invited  the  ladies  on  deck, 
leaving  us  in  readiness  to  receive  Sir  George,  who 
was  soon  introduced  by  the  aid. 

Sir  G.,  after  seating  himself,  remarked,  *'You  wish 
to  see  me,  madam."  "I  do,*'  replied  I,  "and. am  hap- 
py of  the  honor,  as  I  have  brought  a  letter  from  Lord 
Durham  to  your  Excellency  touching  cases  of  vital 
importance,  both  to  myself  and  Miss  Cliandler;"  on 
which  I  presented  the  letter,  and  watched  the  counte- 
nance of  the  Governor  while  perusing  the  same,  the 
dark  changes  of  which  indicated  no  good  to  our  cause 
if  his  Excellency  could  prevent  it.  He  seemed  ex- 
ceedingly annoyed,  and  said,  '*You  have  appealed  to 
Lord  Durham  in  the  case  of  your  husband,  under  sen- 
tence of  death  for  treason;  and  you,  for  your  father,'* 


f-r. 


\  ,' 


74 


MRS.    WAIT  8    LETTER. 


i 


M 


;!ui:':iir:;i:'! 


1^  ;ij'MilHV!;.|:i, 


'.'III  I. 


m 


"I 


Stj 


pi' 


■1:  %L 


addressing  Miss  C.  "Wc  liavc,"  I  replied,  "and  your 
Excellency  will  doubtless  admit  that  the  importance  of 
the  case  is  a  suflicient  apology  i'or  making  any  exer- 
tion that  might  be  in  our  power,"  to  which  he  reluc- 
tantly assented,  scarce  knowing  how  to  express  his  dis- 
pleasure, that  the  victims  had  indeed  been  wrested 
from  his  deadly  grasp,  by  his  superior,  who  had  thus 
been  induced  to  exert  his  authority,  beyond  the  limits 
of  Lower  Canada.  "JJut,  Madau),"'  said  he,  *'I  can 
not  accede  to  th.;  request,  and  [)revent  the  due  course 
of  the  law  upon  oll(jnces  of  this  nature."'  "  Fow  can 
not  accede  to  the  request!  permit  mo  to  sny,  sir,  I  left 
Quebec  with  an  assurance  from  Lord  Durluun,  that 
the  life  of  my  husband  shoidd  be  spared,  at  least  until 
his  Lordshi]),  as  Governor  General,,  could  investigate 
the  matter."  "The  state  of  the  country,  madam,  de- 
mands that  examples  should  be  made,  and  most  espe- 
cially of  such  obstinate  and  henlous  offenders,"  allu- 
ding to  Mr.  ^^'^ail^s  positive  refusal  to  give  him  any 
information  that  would  implicate  others,  which  he  hnd 
sought  personally,  with  an  oifer  of  pardon.  "And 
had,"  said  I,  "the  force  of  example,  as  your  Excel- 
lency is  pleased  to  call  those  sanguinary  measures, 
and  the  blood  which  has  already  flowed  from  the  gal- 
lows, told  happily  upon  the  country,  I  should  not  now 
be  under  the  painful  necessity  of  pleading  for  the  life 
of  a  beloved  husband."  "But,  madam,"  he  enquir- 
ingly remarked,  "what  am  I  to  do  with  the  repeated 
applications  from  the  west,  imploring  me  to  adopt 
ciome  measures  that  may  put  a  stop  to  those  frequent 
attacks  from  which  Her  Majesty's  faithful  subjects  are 


\  * 


4 


«-.a 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER. 


lO 


suiroring  the  loss  of  life,  property,  and  so  forth  ?" 
"Permit  mo  to  ask  your  Excellency  in  return,  will 
the  execution  of  tlicso  men  restore  to  the  people  of 
the  west  the  lives  and  properly  which  tlicy  have  lost  by 
previous  nggression  ?''  "Hy  no  means, 'Mic  replied, 
"but  the  example  may  deter  otliors  from  sim'Iar  trans- 
gressions." "If  your  I'^xcollcncy  will  allow  me,  I  do 
most  sincerely  think  that  no  example  could  go  farther 
to  pacify  excited  fecling>j,  and  have  a  more  salutary 
influence  upon  the  coi'ntry  at  largi),  than  a  general 
extension  of  mercy  and  pardon  to  political  oHondcrs; 
for  well  do  I  know  that  tho'peopltj  of  this  country 
have  been  goaded  on  to  rebellion  by  various  and  re- 
peated acts  of  legalized  opprrssion.  I  crave  your  Ex- 
cellency's indulgence,  and  beg  leave  to  say  further, 
that  my  friends,  even  my  own  family,  have  been  spe- 
cial objects  of  this  oppressive  persecution,  the  effects 
of  which  I  have  felt  from  my  infancy  up  to  this  mo- 
ment; and  no  longer  since  than  last  autumn,  my  un- 
fortunate husband  was  told,  bv  several  members  of 
the  bar,  at  the  Niagara  assize,  at  which  he  had  a  suit, 
that  it  was  useless  for  him  to  seek  redress,  as  he  was 
known  by  the  Court  to  be  a  reformer;  and  alone, 
your  Excellency,  to  these  sad  truths  may  be  attributed 
the  present  lamentable  state  of  Canada;  a  resistance 
to  which  has  placed  my  husband  in  his  present  melan- 
choly situation.  But  I  fear  I  am  trespassing  upon 
your  time,  sir,  and  cannot  but  trust  that  your  Excel- 
lency will  view  the  exciting  causes  in  palliation  of  the 
effect,  and  now  follow  the  beautiful  examples  of  mercy 
given  us  in  sacred  scripture,  by  kindly  allaying  tho 


i\ 


fnU^ 


70 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LKTTKR. 


'v(l 


!ii! 
•,,«ll 


■  m 


^if 


:,ii 


'.  I' 


,-,(.  -n 


Nli'ti^;! 


auxicity  that  agonizes  our  minda.  (Ho  would  refer  nio 
to  the  same  for  consolation) — and  1  thank  God,  sir,  that 
a  reliance  upon  sovereign  mercy,  and  confidence  in 
divine  Providenco,  has  thus  fur  sustained  mo  under 
these  trying  circumstances,  and  I  trust  will  continue  to 
do  so.  l\Iay  we  hope  that  your  Excellency  will  think 
favorably  of  our  request?'' 

lie  could  not  say  that  he  would,  and  left  the  room. 
Upon  which  I  dcterniinod    to  lay  his  refusal  before 
Lord  Durham  by  the  return  of  the  messenger,  who 
would  leave  us  at  Cornwall;  consequently  begged  leave 
to  inform  his  Lordship,- that,  although  we  \vere  assur- 
ed of  the  safely  of  our  friends  while  at  Quebec,  yet 
Sir  (leorge  seemed  determined  to  frustrate  his  noble 
purposes  of  mercy,  the  benign  influence  of  which  1 
still  implored  might  be  extended  to  Upper  Canada,  as 
the  Lower  Canadians  had  already,  in  a  measure,  felt 
its  radiance.     As  1  was  sealing  and  addressing  this 
communication,  tho  Governor  returned,  bringing  with 
him  Mr.  Macaulay,    his  private  secretary,  whom  ho 
introduced,  saying  that  ho  had  brought  his  secretary 
to  note  down,  if  wo  would  give   it,  the  substance  of 
the  verbal  communications  we  had  received  in  Quebec, 
which  we  readily  gave,  and  after  which,  I  told  Sir 
George,  that  since  the  honor  of  his  interview,  I  had 
taken  the  liberty  of  stating   the  result  of  the   same, 
with  his  answer,  to  Lord  Durham,  which  I  intended 
to  forward  immediately,  holding  the  letter  in  my  hand. 
**0h,"  said  he,  *'l  wish  you  to  understand  me,  madam, 
before  you  communicate  my  answer  to  Lord  Durham;" 
and  his  lip  quivered  with  rage.     "And  I  shall  be  most 


» 


1 


.% 


'I.  jlliH 


MRS.    WAITS    LETTER. 


77 


happy  to  understand  any  thing  from  your  Excellency 
tliat  may  bo  aught  more  satisfactory  than  what  I  huvo 
bt-en  led  to  suppose.''  "  Will,  I  luivc granted  a  respite 
h)  your  hu.sbandf  and  ahn  to  your  J'dt Iter ^'^  addressing 
Miss  C,  "but  tlicrc  must  be  more  executions;  tliatex- 
rcrablu  ciianicter,  IJomer,  must  pny  the  penalty  of 
his  act.  There  shall  no  mcrcv  be  dealt  out  to  him.'' 
*'Still,"  replied  f,  "\vc  must  liopc  that  your  Excellen- 
cy will  think  b'tler  of  it,  and  not  make  another  ex- 
ception to  the  now  happily  adopted  rule  of  mercy." 

Sir  George  left  us;  Mr.  Macaulay  asked  if  I  was  a 
native  of  Canada,  and  being  told  that  1  was,  he  re- 
gretted much  that  I  should  have  been  involved  in  cir- 
cumstances of  so  grievous  a  nature,  and  hoped  that  I 
might  be  reinstated,  and  yet  be  happy  in  the  country 
of  my  l)irth.  I  thanked  him,  and  he  bade  us  good 
morning. 

\Vc  were  now  nearing  Cornwall,  where  wc  would 
land,  and  where  Lord  D's  messenger  would  return  to 
Quebec.  I  considered  with  what  diificulty  the  acqui- 
escence in  Lord  D's  decision  had  been  extorted  from 
Sir  George,  who  displayed  evident  symptoms  of  anger, 
and  entertained  fears  that  he  might  have  been  indu- 
ced by  duplicity  to  stay  me  with  a  false  hope,  that  I 
might  not  further  press  the  suit  v.  illi  Lord  D.  I  ac- 
cordingly delivered  the  letter  I  had  pre{)ared  to  the 
messenger,  to  convey  to  his  master,  and  could  not  help 
feeling  a  secret  satisfaction,  that  Lord  D.  would  at_ 
least  be  apprised  of  the  apparent  disrespect  with  which 
the  Lieutenant  Governor  had  treated  his  author- 
ity; at  the   same  time,   it  being  contrary  to  reason, 


.ji. 


S     ' 


78 


MUS.    WAIT 'a    Lt-:  i  , 'i.,a. 


^s: 


I'te-/ 


kit'!'' 


,S  I'll 


I'^ii! 


•»» 


'ilk:]; 

mi 


order,  or  usage,  timt  he  slioiiltl  dare  to  contravene  it. 
1  landed  quite  indisposed,  from  mental  excitement, 
and  the  natural  edict  of  being  separated  from  a  nurs- 
ing babe,  on  whouj,  poor  little  dear,  I  had  .scarcely 
tliought  since  1  lefi.  IJut  now  that  it  seemed  imposi- 
hle  for  !»er  father  to  f;dl  a  victim  to  the  gallows,  my 
feelings  naturally  recurred  to  my  child,  and  I  fear- 
ed that  she  too  might  bo  ill;  but  thank  Heaven,  I  was 
enabled  to  cast  all  my  care  uj)on  llim  who  is  ever  the 
friend  of  the  desolate,  and  was  thus  permitted  to  seek 
the  repose  1  so  much  needed.  The  coach  did  not  leave 
until  morning,  when  1  found  myself  much  refreshed, 
and  better  able  to  pursue  my  anxious  journey. 

But  to  bo  brief  and  not  weary  your  patience,  I  will 
fiay  little  of  tlie  latter  part  of  the  route;  permit  me, 
however,  to  inform  you,  that  at  Prescott  wo  fell  in 
with  the  Lord  Uishop  Mountaine,  of  IMontreal,  on  his 
way  to  Toronto;  who,  clad  as  ho  was  in  his  sacerdo- 
tal skirt  or  robe,  made  rather  a  singular  appearance 
to  those  who  had  never  seen  a  high  functionary  of  the 
establishment.  I  was  introduced  to  him,  and  conver- 
sed on  the  melancholy  subject  of  my  mission  to  Que- 
bec. He  was  very  afllible,  and  kindly  pointed  mc  to 
the  great  source  of  consolation  under  the  most  trying 
earthly  afllictions.  1  begged  that,  if  an  opportunity 
oflcred  of  his  aiding  mo  with  his  influence  at  Toronto, 
be  would  give  it;  which  he  said  was  a  difficult  matter 
with  a  person  standing  in  the  relation  to  the  Crown 
that  he  did;  but  that  he  might  have  an  apportunity  of 
benefitting  my  cause,  which  he  would  be  glad  to  cm- 
brace,  as  he  deeply  commiserated  my  painful  situation. 


M 


MRS.    WAIt'm    l.ETTKR 


9 


; 


Tho  good  Bisli()[>  left  us  at  Toronto,  our  anxiety 
Bcciningly    increasing    with   every  revolution  of  the 
wliecl.s,  until  wo  rouchcd  Niagara,  wliero  we  landed 
on  the  '2*id,  and  found  preparations  making  for  the 
execution  <d*  our  friends  on  the  apjjroaehing  25lh.   V\'e 
flew  to  the  prison  to  eomniunicato  the   hapi)y   inttdli- 
gence  of  the  promised  respite;  but  having  nothing  ofli- 
eial  witli  us,  and  no  orders  to  that  ellect  having  as  yet 
hocn  sent,  our  report  of  mercy  was  scarcely  credited; 
indeed,  the  jailer  had  received  orders  from  the  Sherilf 
to  have  all  things  in  readiness  to  carry  out  the  horrid 
sentence  to  the  hotter.     I  saw  my  dear  husband  for  a 
moment,  and  endeavored  to  console  him  by  assuran- 
ces that  the  respite  would  come,  as  1  had  it  from  both 
Lord  Durham  and  b!ir  George,  who  could  not   thus 
practice   deception.     He    informed  me  that  our  dear 
child  had  been  dangerously  ill,   though  at  the  last  ac- 
counts from  her  she  was  rather  belter.     Still  I  could 
not  see  her,  she  being  twenty  miles  distant,  and  I  on 
the  following  morning  must  retrace  my  steps  to  To- 
ronto, and  learn  the  reason  why  the  expected  respite 
had  not  been  sent.     Accordingly,  at  eight  in  the  mor- 
ning I  again  left  the  whaif  for  Toronto,  scarce  know- 
ing  to  whom  I    might   apply  in  the   absence  of  tho 
Governor,    whom    1   had  left   at   Cornwall;  but  was 
determined  on  finding  some  one  of  the   officials.     I 
Btepped  into  a  carriage  and  told  the  lad  to  drive  to  tho 
residence  of  the  Chief  Justice — he  did  so — the  house 
was  shut  up.     Drive  to  the  Solicitor  General's,  said  I; 
but  seeing  a  gentleman  in  the  way,  I  asked  the  boy  if 
he  knew  him.     Yes,  replied  he,  it  is  Judge  McLean; 


*ti 


'f;  '. 


iifi' 


T' 


r"*'-,!ii|il!i! 


Pmv 


ti''^'y 


!  I  I* 


I    I 


k;:    ■•;, 


.•    ''f  '']    '.■'  l 


H|..(. 


»,.(.. 


80 


MRS.    wait's    letter. 


upon  which  I  stopped,  and  asked  the  gentleman  if  I 
had  the  honor  of  addressing  Judge  McLean?  He  re- 
plied in  the  affirmative,  whon  I  told  him  the  impor- 
tance of  my  errand,  and  begged  that  he  would  inform 
me  where  I  might  find  the  members  of  the  executive 
council.     Ho  very  kind))/-  directed  mc  to  the  Parlia- 
ment House,  where  the  council  w<m'o  then  sitting,  and 
to  v/hich  he  said  he  was  going.   On  reaching  the  place 
I  was  shown  to  Mr.  Sullivan,  of  whom  I  begged  leave 
to  enquire  whether  the  Governor  had  not  ordered  a 
respite  for  the  Niagara  prisoners?  at  the  same  time 
informing  him  what  1  had  been  told  at  Quebec,  as  well 
as  what  Sir  George    had  himself    said,    a  few  days 
previous,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Macaulay  and  Miss 
Chandler.     To  which  he  replied,  that  he  had  as  yet 
received  no  such  communication  from  his  Excellency, 
but  should  there  be  reality  in  the  matter,  we  might 
expect  the  respite  over  per  the  Transit  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  at  eleven  o'clock;  and  if  I  had  it  from 
the  Governor,  he  said  I  might  of  course  7'ely  upon  it: 
still  1  felt  misgivings  on  the  subject;  and  the  possibility 
of  its  being  a  ruse  of  Sir  George,  the  better  to  carry 
out  his  predetermined  purposes  of  cruelty,  would  force 
itself  upon  me  notwithstanding  the  many  reasons  I 
had  to  expect  the  reverse.     I  accordingly  called   on 
Bishop  Mountaine — informed  him  of  my  fears   and 
hopes,  and  entreated  him  to  sec  the  council,  and  advise 
them  to  stay  proceedings  until  something  did  arrive 
from  Sir  George.     He  promised  to  do  what  he  could. 
I  had  now  but  time  to  reach  the  steam  boat,  which 
was  ringing  for  the  last  call,  and  I  hurried  on  board, 


;  *•!■ 


MRS.   WAIT  S  LETTER. 


81 


to  await  the  anxious  time  near  my  liusband,  whom  I 
could  not  sec  that  night,  it  being  six  when  we  arrived. 
Vet  1  was  enabled  to  trust  in  God,  and  beseech  Him 
who  could  turn  the  hearts  ot*  men  to  mercy,  and  rule 
all  events  lor  our  good  and  His  glory,  to  sinilc  upon 
us  in  this  our  time  ot*  tjial,  and  grant  us  sustaining 
grace  to  await  His  will. 

This  night  passed,  and  in  the  morning,  though  not 
knowing  but  tlie  worst  might  come,  I  endeavored  to 
encourage  my  husband,  when  permitted  to  hand  in 
his  breakfast  through  the  iron  bars  that  separated  us, 
in  the  hope  ot'  the  respite  being  over  at  eleven  that 
day;  but  this  hope  v/as  doomed  to  disappointment.  I 
thought  the  evening  boat  must  be  the  bearer  ot'  it; 
still  it  came  not  at  six,  and  the  next  day,  between  tlie 
hours  of  eleven  and  one,  was  the  time  appointed  for 
the  executions.  Yet  I  could  not  help  but  feel  that  come 
it  must  and  would,  though  nearly  distracted  by  this 
cruel  delay  of  the  Governor,  who  evidently,  at  the 
best,  was  determined  to  torture  us  until  literally  tho 
last  moment.  My  hopes  were  now  centered  in  the 
arrival  of  the  Transit  at  eleven,  which  came,  but 
brought  not  the  message  of  mercy;  neither  did  sho 
bring  the  expected  Shoritf,  who  had  gone  to  Kingston 
with  those  prisoners  who  had  been  deemed  more  wor- 
thy of  a  commutation  by  Sir  George;  and  as  a  last 
hope,  the  possibility  of  his  bringing  the  order  from  the 
Governor  at  Kingston,  or  of  being  absent  until  after 
the  allotted  time  had  expired,  alone  sustained  us. 
About  twelye  a  messenger  announced  the  arrival  of 

the  Government  steamer  bringing  the  Sheriff,  who  vyas 
6 


-'..;:*!; 


i!    «  :!.  I  * 


82 


LETTERS    FllOM    V.    D.    L. 


'!  ,i  v; :' 


m  <;: 


1. 1; 


tr        ■! 


,        I 


K: :,: 


n;. 


indeed  the  bearer  of  the  long  expected  respite  fresh 
from  the  hand  of  Sir  George  Arlliur,  whom  he  had 
left  the  day  before  at  Kingston. 

1  must  leave  you  to  imagine  this  ovcrwhchning  scene, 
as  1  cannot  even  attempt  to  describe  it,  or  give  you  the 
least  idea  of  the  feelings,  cau.scd  by  the  safety  of  four 
precious  lives  thus  spared  by  a  merciful  Cod,  who 
had  deigned  to  hear  and  answer  our  prayers;  and  will 
close  this  lengthy  epistle  by  informing  you,  that,  as 
soon  as  the  violence  of  those  feelings  had  in  a  measure 
subsided,  and  our  hearts  liad  been  raised  in  gratitude 
to  the  Most  fligh  for  this  wonderful  deliverance,  1  left 
Niagara,  and  hastened  to  embrace  my  dear  babe,  who 
was  with  her  grand-mother,  and  whose  health  1  found 
on  my  arrival,  was  so  much  iujproved  that  1  was  ena- 
bled to  remove  her  on  a  j>iiiow  tbe  following  day 
to  Niagara,  that  I  might  still  be  convenient  to  her  sul- 
fering  father,  near  whom  I  romaiiicd  -until  the  subso- 
<]uent  order  for  his  removal  to  Fort  Henry,  at  Kingston. 

Your's,  most  respectfully, 

MARIA   WAIT. 


To 


LETTER  IV. 

AsHGRovE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  1).  L. 

June,  1840. 


Dear  Sir:  The  arrival  of  the  respite,  though  for  so 
brief  a  period,  burst  like  a  meteor  upon  our  minds, 
and  gave  us  not  '<a  faint  glimmering  hope,"  but  a  pos- 
itive assurance  of  an  cfTcctive  interposition;  for  when 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


83 


e  fresh 
liG  had 

^  scene, 
you  the 
of  four 
,  wiio 
nd  will 
Jat,  as 
icasuro 
atitudo 
,  1  icA 
3,  who 

foil  21  d 

s  eiia- 
g  day 
n-  sui- 
sub&o- 
gston. 

IT 


DP  SO 

iiids, 
pos- 
^hen 


once  a  delay  was  obtained,  and  the  documents  lodged 
in  th.;  hands  of  the  Earl  of  Durliatn,  there  could  bo 
no  doubt  of  a  lenient  course  being  pursued,  and  no 
more  blood  be  spilled  in  this  case;  for  the  application 
made  in  behalf  of  n^ysclf  and  Mr.  Chandler  would 
cqujilly  benefit  the  utliers,  who  were  res(.'rved  with  us 
for  execution. 

^  The  interposition  of  the  Earl  in  tlie  affairs  of  U.  C. 

■•  .  called  forth  some   iiarsh  censures    from    iSir    George 

Arthiir;  and  it  1  'i  to  serious  altercations  between  the 
tM  Iwo  dignitaries,      i^li    (r.   in   his  private  d(;s[)atches  to 

Ids  Lordship,   roinonstrated   '"in  no  measured  terms,*' 
against   his   tiaving   been  inrlueed  '*lo  listen  to  the  ap- 
peals of  a  wife  and  (laughter  of  two  of  I'.ie  most  aggra- 
vated olfiKiers^  and  interpose  betwceii  them  and  the 
i.i.>t  exv'cution  of  ill)  law.""'      The  rec(  Jit  [■)ublication  of 
the  olncial  documents  bj;iring  on  this  point,   are  coii- 
clusive  evidence;  tliat  to  these  personal  petitions  alone, 
can  we  attribute  the  [)reservation  of  oia*  lives.     This 
n^spite  was  soon  followed  by  anotht  r  of  ten  days,  and 
subsequently  one  of  near  ■>  month,  cxtcn.il -g  the  time 
to  the  first  of  October,,   ui/'  :■.  t'ie  deputy  Sherilf  ap- 
peared at  the  jail,   beariii!;   la  his  hand  -i  letter,  osten- 
sibly i'rom  the  Lieutonaiil  Governor,   with  orders  tor 
him  to  read  it  to  us,  tm  1  receive  aiid  tr;>nsmit  our  an- 
swers.   It  informed  us  that  '^Ilis  Excellency,  in  coun- 
cil,   had  conelLidod  to  li.^ten  to  our  petitions  and  grant 
pardons,  on  condition  of  our  accepting  transportation 
in  the  lieu  of  death.''     Of  course  transportation  as  an 
alternative,  was  generally  preferred,  and  answers  were 
given  accordingly — yet  not  on  my  part  uilhout  a  coun- 


ts! 


h '  <■  III 

Bii  e   il 


r:n 


»»^it.i,^maim.i*- 


]J 


uiM 


mm 


iiiiiii^i 


Jri    \ 


I'i 


m^ 


84 


LETTERS    FllOM  V.  D.  L. 


ter  * 'condition'^ — for  I  supposed  it  a  mere  mockery,  to 
give  coloring  to  his  unbending  arrogance,  not  once 
giving  him  credit  for  the  full  share  of  superciliousness 
his  subsequent  conduct  proved  him  to  possess  in  so 
great  a  degree;  and  consequently  replied  that,  "if  by 
transportation,  ho  meant  only  to  convey  me  from.  Ni- 
agara, or  even  to  England,  I  should  not  oppose  it;  but 
would  prefer  death  to  being  banished  to  Van  Dicman's 
Land,  therefore  would  not  accept  the  terms  of  the 
pardon.'^  Although  I  gave  a  conditional  answer,  yet  1 
did  not  perceive  the  extent  of  this  artifice,  or  that  it 
would  be  made  a  subterfuge  for  law.  But  in  England 
I  found  much  importance  attached  to  that  condition, 
for  it  was  assumed  by  the  ministry,  as  ground  suiK- 
cicnt  for  carrying  the  "commuted  sentence"  into  fuU 
effect. 

A  few  days  after  this  "compact"  arrangement,  the 
clanking  of  chains  announced  an  intended  removal. 
When  the  execrable  fetters  were  riveted  on  my  limbs, 
the  cautering  iron  entered  my  soul;  and  not  till  then 
did  I  feel,  I  vras  truly  no  longer  free;  a  manacled 
slave/  was  a  conception  I  never  before  rightly  under- 
stood. I  had  not  valued  personal  liberty  as  I  ought; 
but  now  that  it  was  for  ever  gone,  I  viewed  it  as  the 
most  precious  boon  Heaven  could  bestow.  All  the 
wealth  of  the  world  was  as  nothing  in  comparison  to 
it;  and  on  the  contrary,  slavery  was  the  most  abhor- 
rent of  all  evils. 

Mrs  Wait  as  usual,  was  now  at  hand  to  offer  condo- 
lence, and  calm  my  perturbed  feelings.  She  packed 
up  what  clothes  I  had  there,  and  forgot  not  the  few 


m 


I  -4 


t.-'ii 


^'4 


LETTERS    FROM  V.  D.   L. 


85 


books',  a  perusal  of  which  had  given  me  pleasure. 
She  awaited  with  resignation  far  superior  to  mine,  the 
fiat  that  should  separate  our  persons  perhaps  for  ever. 
I  kiss'-jd  and  caressed  that  dear,  dear  child,  you  speak 
so  tenderly  of,  and  wrung  the  liand  of  her  whose  aficc- 
tionate  care  1  fancied  I  was  no  more  to  experience.  This 
was  a  scene  I  had  often  anticipated,  and  thought  my- 
self prepared  to  meet;  but  I  had  looked  upon  it  su- 
perficially, and  seen  it  only  in  the  distance.  A  sense 
of  desolation  came  over  me  that  I  could  not  shake  oO'; 
and  liad  it  not  been  for  the  superior  fortitude  talight 
mo  by  i\Irs.  Wait,  I  fear  I  should  have  shown  a  femi- 
nina  spirit — a  want  uf  manhood.  Wo  had  but  little 
time  for  leave-taking — were  torn  from  mourning 
friends  and  hurried  on  board  a  steamer  for  Toronto, 
where  we  arrived  nt  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  on  the 
0th  October.  We  found  an  immense  multitude  crow- 
ding the  wharf,  and  lining  the  street  through  which  vvc 
were  to  pass  to  the  jail.  From  them  proceeded  min- 
gled shouts  of  imprecation.y  and  pity — derision  and 
sympathy.  But  I  soon  observed  it  was  by  the  squalid 
alone  that  imprecations  were  uttered,  while  compas- 
sion was  visible  in  the  countenances  of  all  who  ap- 
peared worthy  respect.  It  is  true,  such  salutations,  at 
first,  discomposed  my  mind  a  little,  but  the  commisera- 
tion of  the  better  class  reconciled  me  to  this  new  spe- 
cies of  greeting,  and  I  felt  that  I  sho.ild  ever  prefer  the 
insult  to  tlie  praise  of  the  varying  n\ob. 

At  the  jail  we  were  received  by  the  very  ohsequious 
host,  Mr.  Kid,  who  invited  us  to  walk  into  the  hall, 
humanchj  offering  the  dirty  floor  fo :  a  lodging.    We 


'!■  ■  4^i 

•m 

I  f  ."U";::«*t:,- 1 

irn^M 

im 

i''  ;^r' 

1:  'MiM 

1      >f'S 

■I 

If 


ili 


l:U\ 


>  I'; 


'it 


■'If 


'm 


.,.<T '■> 


86 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


'r'illll;. 


3l|[ 


^w 


L  .:.    r 


,,-ii.;r"|.;> 

iiiiiiii:'!!' 


r-': 


I" 


ii 


^^1 


"I 


* 


«tll  J.  I'' 


^  ■  ■  ■ 


H  : 


il^    I 


iM'l 


niA 


iV 


I'l  - 


m 


Ill' 


could  not,  of  course,  return  him  much  compliment  for 
his  generosity.  Nothing  was  offered  here  to  cat, 
and  we  should  liave  hccn  obliged  to  go  supporlcss  to 
bed,  had  not  the  guard  kindly  shared  their  provisions 
with  us  on  board,  before  reaching  Toronto.  In  this 
respect  we  have  always  found  the  common  soldier  gen- 
erous, even  beyond  his  means.  Tlii;?  was  the  first 
night  1  had  essayed  to  rest  with  iny  leg  and  wrist 
coupled  to  another;  and  I  found  the  attempt  nugatory. 
Mere  too,  I  first  found  verPiin,  i  c  fleas  and  bugs, 
which  crept  into  our  clothrs,  and  in  the  inornliig  refu- 
sed to  part  company.  After  risir.g,  a  dirnight  from  a 
milk  woman's  pail  did  more  to  j'(.'vivc  drowsy  nature, 
than  would  a  dozen  pots  of  "^Ir.  Kid's  ale,  which  he 
profusely  ofTered,  ^^providcd  always,''  we  would  first 
present  him  with  the  "proper  equivalent."  Our  es- 
cort, with  Wheeler  at  their  head,  arrived  verv  earlv, 
and  led  us  to  the  dock,  through  the  same  scenes  wo 
had  witnessed  the  evening  previous.  We  put  olfat  eight, 
and  reached  Kingston  by  the  following  dawn,  when 
we  were  immediately  marched  away  to  the  jail,  a  largo 
edifice  near  the  center  of  the  town,  where  we  remain- 
ed seated  on  the  floor,  until  twelve  M.,  when  we  wero 
again  called  on  to  move. 

At  this  time  a  waggon  was  provided  for  us,  in  which 
we  were  Griv.M  slowlv  across  the  Rideau  to  Fort  Hen- 
ry,  follo^ved  and  accompanied  by  the  Kingston  Sheriff,, 
deputy,  and  jailer,  the  Niagara  deputy  and  jailer,  with 
a  whole  division  of  red  coats,  carryi)ig  arms  at  pre- 
sent. At  the  gates  of  the  fort  the  guard  was  turned 
out  to  receive  us,  and  our  entrance  was  between  two 


■-^, 


4'^ 

■  '  *?•  fe 

^>  h 

■f^ 

v^ 

■v^ 

&- 

'.m 

«&fe..:.'.titi. 


nt  foj 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


87 


platoons  of  soldiers,  which  closed  after  us  as  if  to  shut 
out  the  hope  of  ever  repassing  that  barrier.  Fort  II. 
is  constructed  of  good  workmansliip,  on  a  comman- 
ding position,  and  luis  an  imposing  appearance.  It  is 
commodiously  planned,  and  has  an  area  of  about  a 
half  acre,  with  a  large  reservoir  for  water  underneath. 
If  well  manned,  it  might  hohl  out  against  almost  any 
number  of  assailants. 

Our  irons  were  soon  knocked  off,  and  our  pockets 
searched — money,  knives  and  papers  taken  from  us, 
but  afterwards,  all  but  the  papers  were  restored.  The 
prisoners  already  herr*,  consisting  of  those  from  To- 
ronto, London  District,  IVint  au  I'.dee,  and  Ningara. 
were  in  two  rooms  or  wards,  without  communication. 

I  was,  with  three  others,  McLeod,  Beemcr,  and 
Warner,  ushered  into  the  one  occupied  by  Messrs. 
Parker,  Wixon,  Watson,  and  fifteen  or  sixteen  others, 
where  we  found  a  breakfast  jirepared,  of  which  we 
partook  with  avidity,  it  being  the  first  food  ollevred  that 
5ay,  though  then  near  four  P.  M. 

I  was  surprised,  and  even  piqued,  by  the  congratula- 
tions with  which  I  was  greeted  by  all.  It  seemed  a 
perfect  verifying  of  the  old  sentiment  of  "misery  likes 
company.'''  But  I  soon  discovered  that  it  was  a  genu- 
ine burst  of  joy  for  our  opportune  escape  from  death; 
for  of  our  respite  and  ultimate  commutation,  they  had 
received  no  information  previous  to  that  morning,  and 
nece&::arily  supposed  we  had  sullered  the  penalty  de- 
signed. 

As  soon  as  I  had  time  to  look  about  me  and  make 
inquiry,  I  found  my  companions  consisted  of  what  re- 


I  I-    vi 


■. -J' 


,"<1' '  ''f 


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88 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


A 


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Ji:'.;: 


,i'i:-|;!l' 


^";i;|: '::!:>'"' 


H.'il,' 


\m 


V 


*■ 


nitiiiiL'd  of  tl»c  Toronto,  London  District  prisoners,  and 
J.  G.  Parker,  while  tlie  others  occupied  a  ward  ad- 
joining. Parker  and  Watson  were  the  two  unfortu- 
nately recaptured  after  the  celebrated  escape  of  sixteeii 
persons  from  this  fort — fourteen  of  whom  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  U.  S.  1  obtained  a  circumstantial  ac- 
count of  the  whole  affair,  but  do  not  consider  it  neces- 
sary to  be  given  here.  I  looked  upon  it  as  a  daring 
adventure,  that  must  have  emanated  from  a  fearless, 
intrepid  spirit,  and  been  guided  by  a  master  hand,  that 
would  have  done  honor  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  if 
brought  into  full  action  in  the  field  of  battle.  The 
whole  exhibits  a  sagacity  and  courage  belonging  to 
but  few,  who  were  left  to  act  in  the  patriot  cause.  Wo 
can  only  conjecture  what  the  efiect  would  have  been, 
liad  these  and  other  restrained  brave  spirits  had  a  pro- 
per field  for  action.  Jt  will  remain  a  wonder  to  all 
who  visit  the  fort,  how  a  plan  ])articipated  in  b}''  so 
many,  could  have  been  matured  and  followed  up  with 
sufficient  precaution,  to  })crmit  the  digging  through  d 
four  foot  wall,  and  traversing  of  near  half  the  under- 
ground rooms  and  outside  trench  of  the  fort,  with  suc- 
cess. While  we  were  there  many  persons  visited  the 
interior,  with  no  other  motive  than  to  witness  the  thea- 
tre of  so  noted  an  escape,  from  such  an  impregnable 
fortress. 

I  found  the  society  very  agreeable  indeed;  and  our 
time  was  not  "killed,''  as  is  usually  the  case  with  pri- 
soners, nor  spent  in  games  of  chance,  swearing,  lewd 
conversation,  tale-ielling,  &c.  &c.  But  industry  pre- 
vailed— all  were  engaged  in  something  useful,  orna- 


II 

Sll 

1' 

o\ 
ill 

II 

'11 
w 


-^1 

"I 


LKTTERS    FKOM    V.   I).   L. 


80 


iiirsntal   or  entertaining — somo    wore    reading,    some 


wntnig;  others  were  occui)ie(l  m  nuiking  port  lolios, 
small  wooden  boxes,  or  other  mementoes  for  (Vicndiv 
presents.  I  soon  introduced  the  art  of  making  a  sort 
of  eiirioLisly  wrought  paper  memorial,  on  wiiicli  were 
iu'jcribed,  in  elegant  style,  names  and  short,  i)ithy 
mottoes,  savoring  of  ])atri()tism  and  philantliropy. 
These  were  eagerly  sought  after,  and  bundles  of  them 


•tunitv. 


were  sent  to  our  Irumds  every  opportunity 

Messrs.  Wixon,  \\'atson,  Tidey,  Parker,  McLcod, 
and  myself,  united  in  an  association,  soon  after  wo 
had  come  among  them,  for  the  purpose  of  lite-rary  im- 
jirovement  and  amusement  for  the  long  evenings,  by 
delivering,  in  rotation,  original  lectures,  in  writing, 
delivering,  or  listening  to  them,  the  time  rolled  cheer- 
I'uUy  and  unheeded  on. 

My  first  address  was  upon  the  subject  of  Patriotism. 
1  spoke  ardent  and  earnestly,  and  with  all  the  ability 
and  eloquence  ]  was  master  of;  for  it  was  a  subject 
that  had  actuated  every  nerve  of  my  system,  and  re- 
duced me  to  my  present  slavish  situation.  ]>y  request, 
I  copied  it  for  several  persons,  among  whom  was  Mr. 
Parker,  whose  copy  felt  into  the  hands  of  the  tory  fac- 
tion at  Cornwall,  and  became  the  cause  of  considera- 
ble harshness,  for  it  spoke  very  disparagingly  of  the 
government. 

Every  Sabbath  we  listened  with  pleasure  to  an  evan- 
gelical discourse  and  instructing  commentations  on 
the  Psalms  of  David,  with  other  interesting  passages 
of  scripture,  by  Mr.  Wixon.  Indeed,  we  had  great 
reason  to  regard  the  presence  of  this  very  excellent 


ii  ••Jhi 


^^  ■  f 


00 


LETTERa    I'ROM    V,   O.   L. 


■i[i!i|lf3;n| 


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,(,    ;,;:•., 


a^iMi 


man  us  contributing  largcl}  to  our  spiritual  good  and 
temporal  quiet. 

Al)i)ut  two  weeks  nftor  our  arrival,  Sir  George  Ar- 
thur visitid  th'.'  fnit.  ll('  ni.'ulf  liis  citirr  with  as  much 
pomp  and  panu'ui  as  the  head  of  all  the;  Autocrats  would 


assume  on  a  friia  tin  v. 


Aft 


f  r  an  arrav  and  manou 


vering  ot'all  the  sohh'ors  in  th  •  L;Mrri.son,   Ik    tcjok  pos- 
session of  onr>  of  the  ofiiccrs  roonv     and  sent  for  most 


)f  th 


•ticularlv  th 


N 


But 


e  prisoners,  jiarticularly  those  Irom  Aiagara.  Jiul 
I  was  sh\:^hte(l.  There  was  no  condcscrjision,  no 
courtesy  for  m".  I  had  disj)leas(jd  him,  ui.pardonahly 
ofTended  him,  and  ho  must  show  it.  Since  the  Earl  of 
D.  had  resignrul,  and  left  th(;  government  in  the  charge 
of  Sir  .T(dm  Colborne,  a  man  equally  i)lood-thirsty  as 
himself,  he  f(dt  no  restraint,  and  no  disposition  to  mol- 
lify, hut  to  add  to  tin;  mental  misery  of  all  who  were 
under  his  displeasure.  While  he  had  given  hope  to  all 
called  upon,  for  a  lenient  course  being  pursued  in  each 
inrlividual  case,  and  an  admission  to  freedom  on  guar- 
anteed good  conduct,  "there  was  no  favor  to  bo  ex- 
pected by  the  obstinate  Wait."' 

Our  provisions  consisted  of  one  pound  of  bread, 
threc-fourlhs  pound  fresh  moat,  and  a  small  quantity 
of  vegetables  served  us  twice  per  week — tea  and  sugar 
we  supplied  ourselves.  The  food  was  prepared  by 
one  of  our  number,  sent  to  a  hir(ding  for  cooking 
and  invariably  returned  short  of  what  it  went  out. 
The  bread  seldom  lasted  the  time  it  was  designed; 
and  I  have  knov/n  eighteen  extra  loaves  bought  in 
our  ward  in  one  week,  in  addition  to  the  rations  re- 
ceived. 


LrTTKR.S    FROM    V.    D.    L. 


01 


I 


Tlio  prisoners  nprirtmonts  wore  visited  ovory  <!fiy  by 
ilio  Shcriir,  (lo|)Uty,  witli  two  or  llirc^  and  somr'timcr* 
six  or  eight,  inililnry  officTrs,  nccompnnird  by  a  fci'- 
i^^ant,  corpftral,  and  lil<;  (A'  m  n,  to  <j;iifiril  the  r-iil  ratv^c, 
wliilo  tluj  room  iinderwMit  a  r.ritiral  (  vainiiiMlion  by 
lliij  oivil,  in  i>roscnco  i>'i  tbi;  luilil.nry  r.iiictionnricM. 
FiVcry  bod,  box  or  package  was  removed;  s(»  that  oach 
square  incli  of  tho  (lour  could  bo  seen  ami  sounded; 
Clotbes  banrririG'  af^-iiii^      ''o  wall,  wore  carotullv  mo- 

O         lJ         o  ► 

vod  asidf^  that  no  spot  g'lt  b  •  bid  from  vi.^w.  I'ho 
men  likewise  were  all  parided  in  th?.'  middlo  of  tbo 
ward,  iu  single  llle,  and  answered  to  tlvir  namer., 
while  the  sergeant  audibly  counted  tht!  nunib{M*  pr^iscnt, 
and  an  ensign  roH^rred  to  a  pajier  b  -Id  in  his  hand,  to 
soc  that  none  were  missing.  In  j'dving  a  Captain  who 
visited,  relative  to  the  extreme  precautions  used,  he 
ro])lied — "you  Yan!;ees  are  such  slippery  iMlows,  that 
wo  never  know  wdien  we've  got  you.  Stone  w[dls, 
iron  grates,  and  7'cd  rnrffs-  are  no  seeurity.*'  They 
were  warni;d  to  thos'"'  dailv  examinations  bv  the  latfi 
escape. 

VVo  usually  had  a  man  stationed  at  the  window  about 
the  hour  of  the  customary  visits, to  report  the  approach  of 
the  ofTicors,  when  every  article  of  amusement  or  me- 
mento would  be  put  aside';  for  an  order  liad  been  issu- 
ed by  tlie  commandant,  prohibiting  the  manufacture 
of  those  trifles,  fearing  they  had  been,  or  would  be, 
used  as  bribes  for  the  sentinel,  6cc.  On  the  morning 
of  the  fourth  of  November,  the  man  at  the  window 
reported  the  approach  of  the  slierifl',  accompanied  by 
two  females.     My  heart  fluttered  with  intense  anxiety, 


!  i' 


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LFTTKRS    FROM     V.    I).    L. 


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1,. 


it 


while  I  thrust  my  face  among  the  dozen  the  report  had 
brought  to  the  grate,   to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  indi-  ,>| 

viduals  m(.')itioin;d,  each  hoping  to  discover  in  them  a 
friend.  As  soon  as  1  caught  a  view  of  the  figures, 
the  c.\|)ressi(jn  of  *'my  wife!''  hurst  from  my  lips  in 
deep  pathos.  In  an  inordinate  tremor  of  delight,  I 
waited  the  tardy  unlocking  of  the  door,  when  I  found 
in  my  embracf>  the  ohj^ct  of  all  my  anxious  solicitude 
hut  a  shadow  of  mortality.  In  every  lineament  of  the 
f;icc  were  visal)l(!  tracf;s  of  care  anrl  intense  anxiety. 
Unusual  exertion,  combined  with  deep  mental  distress, 
hud  made  sad  havoc  of  youth  and  of  health,  though 
ih.;  sj)irit  was  yet  whole  and  the  mind  still  firm. 

This  new  exjjression  of  her  allection,  despite  the 
dangers  of  lat(}  lake  navigation,  endeared  her  more, 
if  possible,  to  my  Imart  than  ever,  and  I  felt,  though 
u  prisoner,  I  would  not  exchange  conditions  with  the 
mail,  though  wealthy  and  free,  who  had  no  allection 
lavished  upon  him  but  what  his  riches  ])urchased. 
We  had  but  a  few  minutes  for  conversation.  The 
sheriff,  as  soon  as  he  had  examined  the  room,  told  her 
to  leave,  as  he  must  lock  the  door.  However,  she 
fitood  awhile  at  the  grated  window,  but  not  a  word 
must  pass  without  being  heard  by  the  guard,  or  a  trille  || 

given  without  examination.  A  parcel  containing 
winter  clothes,  a  few  pounds  of  tea,  some  butter  and 
dried  fruit,  w^itli  a  pail  of  preserves,  were  cautiously 
inspected  before  they  could  be  given  up  to  mc.  The 
same  conduct  was  pursued  towards  Miss  Chandler  in 
her  communications  with  her  father,  in  the  next  ward. 
Mrs.  Wait  visited  me  each  morning  while  I  remained, 


LETTEllS    PROM    V.   I).    L. 


1)3 


report  had 

the  iiuh- 

iii  them  a 

0  figures, 
ny  lips  in 
lelight,  I 
n  I  found 
solicitude 
:nt  of  the 

anxiety. 

1  distress, 
I,  though 
m. 

spite  the 

ler  more, 

,  though 

with  the 

allbction 

rciiased. 

1.     The 

told  her 

or,  she 

a  word 

!•  a  trifle 

ntaining 

tter  and 

utiously 

Tho 

idler  in 

:t  ward. 

nained. 


for  the  sad  consolation  of  fifteen  minul  s  conversation 
ut  the  window,  f(3i'  suhseciuent  to  the  fir.^t  visit,  she 
was  d(.'harr(;d  enternig  the  do(H*. 

At  that  time,  my  health  was  very  good,  not  having 
indulg«.'(l  in  usel(\ss  repining,  hut  drawing  my  mind  as 
mucli  as  possible  from  all  sources  of  discontent  and 
sorrow,  having  been  taught,  that  contentment  in  a  calm 
and  quiet  mind,  is  a  "bank  that  never  fails;  a  bank 
that  yields  a  perpetual  dividend  of  happiness,"'  let  the 
possessor  be  in  whatever  situation  lu,'  may,  a  prison,  a 
work-house,  or  poverty  at  liome.  And,  that  industry 
was  a  virtue  that  would  take  awav  half  the  dreariness 
of  the  prison  walls.  It  does,  indeed,  busy  the  mind,  and 
thus  prevent  the  gathering  of  gloom,  while  it  raises 
pleasures  by  exercising  the  fancy;  and  imparts  delight 
by  the  development  of  heretofore  hidden  faculties  or 
abilities.  When  at  large,  amid  the  quiet  and  pleasant 
"flowery  fields,''  one  must  be  of  a  very  lethargic  dis- 
position indeed,  who  could  not  enjoy  the  prospect,  and 
indulge  in  the  pleasures  of  life:  but  when  he  is  incar- 
cerated, and  all  the  beauties  of  nature,  the  feelings, 
sympathies,  and  publications  of  the  world  and  society 
are  shut  from  him,  if  his  mind  can  associate  the  pic- 
tured fancies  of  the  landscape  with  objects,  however 
gloomy,  around  him,  and  feel  thankful  for  thus  much 
of  enjoyment,  he  is  truly  worthy  of  happiness. 

While  here  in  this  fort,  Becmer  gave  the  first  indi- 
cation of  a  deceitful  and  treacherous  disposition.  It 
was  observed  by  some  of  our  companions,  yet  I  could 
not  receive  the  opinion.  But  few  of  the  number,  how- 
ever, would  associate  with  him,  on  account  of  his  ex- 


rf     '  / 


01 


LKTTKRS    FKO.M     V.    D.    I,. 


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I'l 


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,1  :iV  4 

,.1 


trcnie  vulgarity  arifl  ()b.scouc  conversation.  Durii'g 
tho  liuur  [jorniitted  lor  daily  rccroaliun  in  liic  area  ot' 
the  fort,  a  small  space  ui'  vviiich  was  allotted  to  us, 
Heoiner  would  walk  to  and  fro,  dark  and  moodily,  in 
a|)|)(;arance  a  itcrlect  ijcr-sonificalion  of  one  of  Milton'.s 
*'fallen  angils,  ticvisiiig  nefarious  schcnjcs  against  tiie 
liuman  race.''  I  I)  lie  v<',  however,  his  feigned  dis- 
clo.surcs  gained  no  favor  at  the  •'J'uiinl  (j' /air,''  though 
penned  hy  the  iiiimilahic  John  ,\rlhur  Tidoy. 

Fur  collie  lime  after  our  arrival,  rumors  were  afloat 
of  the  Ciovornor  sending  part  of  our  number  to  (Que- 
bec; and  wh;.'n  his  Ivxctdlency  visited  the  lort,  it  was 
said  i>y  some,  'hat  ti.cy  IkuI  Iccii  iidormcd  by  him,  a 
part  of  tho  pris  jwers  slio.ild  be  fret d  on  bail,  while 
others  would  l;e  s-r.t  to  Ciu«  bcc.  J5ut  these  reports 
had  died  away,  aiid  v,e  hi  gan  to  .'■ui^pose  tho  lateness 
of  the  s»as:o;i  [)reeiu(!'  d  tho  possibility  of  a  I'cmoval. 
Jjut  on  tho  mornins'  of  ir;e  Dili  of  November,  wo  were 
miserably  undeceived  upon  that  subji  el,  for  muidi  ear- 
lier than  usual,  JShei id' McDonald  entcrc d  the  fort,  ac- 
companied by  Mrs.  Wait.  Ho  came  directly  to  our 
ward,  and  announ^-ed  ihc;  order  of  the  Clovernor  lur  an 
**iuimcdiato  removal  to  (^uv  bee,  for  safe  keeping  du- 
ring tho  vv'inter,  uC  Wixon,  Wat.^on,  Parker,  Wait, 
McLcod,  Chandler,  Walker,  Alves,  Bedford,  Malcolm, 
Brown,  Anderson,  Waggoner,  Vernon,  Miller,  Rey- 
nolds, Grant,  Mallory,  Gemmell,  McNulty,  Codcy, 
Van  Camp  and  I'eemer.  The  others,  Tidey,  Hart,  A:c., 
will  remain  for  further  orders.'^  Ho  continued,  "the 
orders  arc  peremptory  for  an  immediate  march,  for  he 
does  nol  think  it  safe  to  retain  you  here,  as  the  coun- 


IJ 


I . 


10  area  ol" 
-'d  to  us, 
jodily,  in 
f  IMilton'.'j 
gainst  tlio 
Lulled  dis- 
,''  though 

f.re  a  float 
r  to  (^ue- 

■t,     it  WDH 

y  liifii,  a 
il,  whiiu 
'-  reports 
lateness 
jcniova]. 
wc  wer*' 
uch  ear- 
fort,  ae- 
y  to  our 


<i' 


for  an 
)ing  du- 


A\'ait, 
fa  I  col  ni, 
r,  Pvcy- 
Co.ley, 
rt,  &c., 
J,  ''the 
»  for  he 
?  coun- 


IJ.ri'liUS     FROM     V.    1>.    I, 


o: 


,*i 


irv  is  in  a  state  of  excitement  uwd  aluru),  in  the  ex- 
pectation ol"  an  irruption  from  tin;  Stut-'.s.  Vou  will, 
iherclore,  iiave  hut  an  ln»ur  to  prf[»aro  in,  which  you 
will,  of  course,  usu  to  the  hi-.^-t  a(I\antMg".  W  ait,  if 
h(;  wisrhes,  can  accompany  his  nif-'  l)  on*;  uf  the  va- 
cant rooms,  where  they  will  bo  out  nf  ih.-  bustle,  and 
my  deputy  will  attend  th  in,  with  an  armed  guard, 
and  particularly  C'bservc  that  uu  papers  (u-  other  illicit 
articles  |)a:>s  b<;lWf(Mi  ihi'm  luvxamined.*'  We  accept- 
ed the  oll'U*  of  tl:'^  slierilf  as  a  courtesy,  i\.)]i\  I'oUowed 
the  fleputy  U)  a  room  (July  oceup;<(i  liy  the  trunks, 
elotiies,  ba<^sc:i5;-e\  Ckc,  of  Mes>rs.  .Monl.<'')uierv,  Jiro- 
pile,  kS:c.,  left  in  l!i  ir  flight,  whilj  wi;  in  turn  were 
closely  foll(AVed  by  a  redcoat,  who  in  his  li'  art  pitied 
our  forlorn  ])rospect,  but  dare  not  ^\io\v  il  iu  j)rescnco 
of  th<j  unfe(  ling  civic  menial. 

Soon  aftv.'r  we  entered^  .Mrs.  \\'ait(  udt  avorv'il  to  put 
ui  my  hand  unobseu'veil  some  pap.  rs  slic  Ii.'mI  written 
since  arnviiu';  at  Kingstfui,  f  jr  h;  r  f)wu  pastime  and 
my  amusement,  but  the  hawk  eye  ui  the  s(  rvile  lack- 
ey quickly  detected  the  act,  w  h'Ui  they  nuist,  of  course, 
be  submitted  to  his  p(  rus:d  before  given  up  to  me. 
And  I  am  sure  every  word  was  duly  scanned,  as  if  lie 
feared  some  treason  lurked  in  the  l  Iters,  for  during 
the  perusal,  ho  was  several  times  obliged  to  refer  to 
the  writer  tor  elucidation.  Such  ungenerous  conduct 
elicited  an  audible  groan  of  disgu.^t  tVom  the  breast  of 
the  sentry,  'riic  deputv  was  called  away  lor  a  [qw 
moments,  and  the  soldier  showed  his  liberality  by  turn 


ing  his  back,   as  if  to  sa 
and  well  were  those  few 


10WC( 

now 
moments 


*  t 


'•..  i 


do  as  you   please;*' 
improved,  for  a  has- 


90 


LKTTKRS    KIIOM    V.    I).    I,. 


if 


4v 


1 


m 


in 

J.  t 


'4   " 

I 
t 


ty  cxcliango  of  papers  and  mementoes  took  place,  and 
when  the  deputy  rctiniiuil,  there  was  no  need  ot*  l»is 
vigilance. 

Wo  liad  a  great  de:il  to  say  to  eacli  other,  but  as  we 
were  in  a  lew  minutes  to  separate,  perhaps  forever, 
our  time  was  spent  in  encouraging  eacli  otiier  by  })oint- 
ing  tlie  mind  and  hope  to  Him  wlio  will  watch  over 
all  who  trust  to  his  unerring  counsel;  though  wo 
were  cast  upon  the  wide  world  without  other  hope,  Ho 
would  be  to  us  a  guide  and  surety  against  despair; 
though  the  enemy  taunt  and  oppress,  He  would  be 
merciful  and  lenient. 

In  conjecturing  my  probable  destination  and  ulti- 
mate fate,  I  mentioned  the  likelihood  of  Ixjing  sent  to 
England,  whither,  she  declared  she  would  follow,  if  by 
any  means  it  could  be  accomplished;  and  she  was  sure 
her  personal  appeals  there,  would  result  in  my  free- 
dom. The  idea  of  the  voyage  across  the  ocean,  by  a 
female,  alone  and  unprotected,  and  the  obstacles  she 
would  have  to  surmount,  with  the  probability  of  meet- 
ing an  unsympathising  and  unfriendly  feeling  in  Lon- 
don, made  me  shudder  and  repudiate  the  thought.  But 
her  mind,  her  heart,  her  all,  were  enlisted;  and  sho 
promptly  directed  me  to  her  success,  through  every 
embarrassing  circumstance,  in  her  former  appeals  to 
the  Earl  of  Durham.  But  1  still  urged  the  difference 
between  an  inland  journey  of  fourteen  hundred  miles, 
surrounded  with  known  sympathy ;  and  a  voyage  across 
the  wide  ocean,  unprotected,  amid  strangers  whose 
kindness  would  be  doubtful.  She  would  point  me  to 
Him  who  sustains  the  feeble,  guards  the  way-worn. 


■I 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


and  protects  the  friendless  in  every  trial  of  danger, 
and  every  vicissitude  of  fortune.  As  a  last  argument 
to  deter  her  from  the  resolution  she  iiad  expressed,  I 
mentioned  our  do;ir  babe,  whoui  she  ought  now  to  con- 
sider as  the  only  link  that  bound  her  affections  to  earth. 
T/uif,  indeed,  was  a  .subject  that  vibrated  every  chord 
in  her  nature,  and,  as  I  fancied,  for  a  niomont,  made 
iier  swerve;  but  it  v/as  only  for  a  moment,  and  that, 
t(K),  wns  met  by  the  r-ame  undaunted  reliance  on  Provi- 
(I'jncc;  and  with  a  countf^nance  radiant  with  superior 
fortitude,  she  said,  *  will  not  Ife  wlio  tempers  the  wind 
to  tlio  shorn  lamb;  and  as  a  shepherd  carries  them  in 
His  bosom,  kee;*  h-.-r  from  neglect  and  want?  Ves: 
Kuould  1  h  arof  your  removal  to  \'an  Dieman's  Land, 
and  bo  uiisuccc-^srul  in  my  petitions  to  the  Queen,  I 
u-i/I  follow^  you  thither,  and  .\d»are  your  exile,  nothing 
1  jtli  in  le:i\  Ing  our  child  in  the  hands  of  the  'orphan's 
{lud.'"'  I  wa-i  eilcctually  silenced;  yet  luid  I  desired 
to  odor  any  further  impedim:'nts,  they  would  have  been 
that  instant  cut  short,  bv  a  sunmions  to  come  and  be 
invested  with  the  chains  of  honor.  Our  minds  had 
been  wrought  up,  not  to  the  climax  of  despair,  but  to 
a  higli  hope  and  ardent  buoyancy;  and  vve  snatched  a 
hasty  adieu  willi  a  calmness  that  1  oft(>n  wonder  at. 
Oh  that  1  could  ever  be  guided,  or  actuated,  by  the 
same  inspiring  feelings  of  resignation  that  were 
infused  in  my  soul  at  that  last  parting  scene.  N(jt 
one  murmur  was  breathed  again^t  my  wayward  des- 
tiny, but  my  heart  was  fdled  with  an  inexpr(3ssible 
glow  of  satisfaction;  that  continued  to  cheer,  and  buoy 
it  up,  until  the  last  farewell  wave  of  the  handkerchief 


••I 


98 


MU3.    WAIt'b    LKTTER. 


of  my  bosom  companion  died  in  tlio  distance,  and  I 
found  myself  on  tlio  bow  deck  of  a  steamboat,  coupled 
hand  and  foot  to  J.  (I.  barker,  and  surrounded  with  my 
companions  in  tribulation,  among  a  numbc;r  of  horses* 
who  disputed  possession  with  us,  as  well  as  a  whole 
regiment  of  regulars,  whoso  bristling  bayonets  showed 
well  that  no  escape  from  there  was  practicable. 

As  a  new  sccno  is  now  commencing,   I  will  close 
tills  communication. 

I  renviin,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  6jc.  &:c. 


4 


LIOTTEU   V. 


MRS.   WAir^S  LETTER VISIT  TO  FORT  HENRY. 


\r'' 


1    ■  •    ■'' 

■  i     ! 


LocKPORT,  Dec.  20,  183.^.. 


1  o , 

iAIy  Dear  Friend:  It  is  under  deep  depression  of  feel- 
ing, that  I  attempt  to  acknowledge  the  i'cceipt  of  your 
kind  favor,  and  endeavor  to  inform  you  of  my  painful, 
though  providential,  visit  to  my  dear  husband  at  Fort 
llcnry.  I  left  my  child,  and  with  a  supply  of  winter 
clothing  for  Mr.  Wait,  and  many  other  necessaries 
for  the  comfort  of  the  poor  prisoners,  set  out  for  Kings- 
ton on  the  2d  Nov.;  and  b(;ing  informed,  at  Niagara, 
that  I  could  not  expect  to  sec  my  husband  without  an 
order  from  the  Governor;  I  called  on  Sir  George  at 
Toronto,  requesting  permission  to  do  so.  He  told  mo 
that  the  responsibility  alone  devolved  upon  the  Sheriff 


MRS.    WAIT  S    F.KTTF-K. 


m* 


and  1 

'oijplcd 

'ith  my 

|liorses, 

whole 
allowed 


close 


vV  c. 


;ind  ollicers  of  the  garri.son;  but  that  did  it  rest  wiih 
him,  ho  should  deem  it  imjjrud'Mit  to  arhnit  me  withiu 


1^ 


ihe  walls  of  the  Fort.  I  king  rather  amuse  '  willi  th 
novel  idea,  I  smiled,  and  asked  him  why?  lie  roj)licd» 
*Hhero  was  little  douht  hut  that  I  was  aware  of  the  .s^- 
oret  combinations  formed  on  tlie  American  side,  for 
the  subversion  of  the  government;  and  females,  wh 
were  capable  of  doing  injury,  might  be  very  dangerous 
visiters  in  such  a  jdae*'/'  L'pon  which  I  laughed  again, 
"brgging  that  his  lv\c(dlency  would  not  d<'[)rivc  me  <A 


I) 


th 


.f 


leai 


eonsol'ttion  ot  '•'•(  ing  my  imsijand,  irOiH  any  tears 
of  tliat  nalui'f,  which  mii.L  1)0  groundl'.ss,  dc.titutc  and 
.illlicted  as  1  was.*'  Thus  ended  the  conference,  'and 
I  hastened  to  the  steamboat,  r<gretling  that  I  had  been 
uiduced  to  call  on  him  at  all,  as  Ik.'  now  had  it  in  his 
p(^wer  lo  thwart  my  wishes,  and  j)revent  my  seeing  my 
husband,  if  he  chose  to  do  so.  I  went,  however,  1) 
the  proper  ofllcer,  immediately  on  my  arriving  at 
k'iugston,  and  obtain^rd  permission  to  go  to  the  fort  at 
th''  lime  when  the  ►Sherilf  attended  on  his  daily  visit  of 
oxamination,  (which  was  a  precaution  taken  after  tiie 
t'oi'tunate  escape  of  MessiS.  Montgomery,  Mordaunl, 
^Vc.)  but  the  lime  of  my  .-.t  .y  could  not  exceed  fil'teen 
minutes.  Even  for  this  privilege  I  was  thankful,  as 
nearly  a  month  had  now  elapsed  since  I  had  seen  my 
poor  husband  taken  from  Niagara,  and  I  hoped  that  1 
might  administer  much  to  his  comfort,  by  seeing  him 
the  specified  time,  each  morning,  diu'Iiig  my  stay.  I 
had  met  Miss  Ch^mdUr  at  Toronto,  on  her  way  to  so  ; 
her  lather;  consequently  we  were  companions  in  or.r 
visits  to  the  prison  of  our  friends,   which    was  muc!i 


■M 


"M 


.f   I 


loo 


MRS.   WAIT  S    l.ETTF.B 


1 


I  C- 


1,', 


n<i    1^        'it' 

till 


.    .1) 


more  plnusnm  than  for  citlicr  to  havr  gono  nlonc;  but 
slio  was  ol)ligf'(l  to  return  on  the  tliird  day  after  her 
rirrivttl,  wliilo  I  wished  to  remain  longer,  and  em))raco 
every  opportunity  of  alleviating  tlic  sullerings  of  tlio 
j)risoncr.s;  but  of  this  consolation  1  was  soon  to  be  de- 
l)rivcd,  as  1  Imd  been  thrre  but  livf  days  when  I  was 
informed  by  t^hcrilf  McDonald,  that  "express  orders 
had  be'^n  sent  from  tlie  (jovernor,  fur  the  immefhate 
removal  of  tho  prisoners  to  (jucbee,  w  here  they  would 
most  likely  embark  for  Mngiand,  and  perhaps  for  \ 'iXW 
Dicman's  Laiui  at  once,  should  it  not  be  too  late  in 
the  season  to  pass  out  the  gulf,  otherwi.-e  they  would 
remain  at  (iui-bcc,  for  safe  keeping,  during  the  winter; 
and  that  in  the  coarse  of  two  hours,  tliov  must  b(^  oii 
their  way.-'  Thisunexpcjctcd  intelligi;nce  nearly  over- 
powered me:  the  time  had  now  come  when  I  must  be 
separated,  perhaps  for  ev(M-,  from_  my  husband,  for 
whom  1  had  fondly  hoped  I  might  obtain  a  pardon, 
and  who  would  soon  be  beyond  the  reach  of  any  kind- 
ness  or  sympathy  with  which  I,  or  any  of  his  t'liends, 
might  console  him,  and  wouhl  doubtless  be  subjected 
anew  to  insults  and  cruidtics  under  which  lie  might 
sink;  I  could  scarcely  bear  the  torturing  thought  of 
seeing  him  under  these  trying  circumstances. — 
1  was  enabled,  however,  to  make  the  ellbrt;  and 
accompanied  the  Sheriil",  who  allowed  me  to  con- 
verse with  my  husband,  in  the  presence  of  a  guard, 
until  he  was  called  to  be  attired  in  the  hahiliments  of 
liritish  cruel/ 1/.  When  I  saw  him  again,  he  was 
chained  both  hand  and  foot,  to  Mr.  Parker,  who,  with 
twenty-one  others,  were  to  be  torn  from  all  they  held 


MRJ».    WAIT  M    LETTER. 


un 


ilc.ir  oil  ''irlli,  and  ilooiiinl  to  thi;  dogradatioii  oC  penal 
convicts;  many  of  thcni  h.'nving  largo  laniilii's  sultj«^ci 
lo  want  and  distress,  while  the  youthful  countenance 
was  fUled  with  nnguish  at  this  early  visitati(jn  of 
wrelchedacss  antl  wo.  Twenly-two  of  th*.'  nuni- 
i)cr  were  {)fiircd  olf  in  chains,  when,  to  the  astonisli- 
incnt  of  reason  and  huniajiity,  was  marshalled  in  the 
rear,  the  talented  editor,  Jlandal  Wixon,  who  was  a 
I'apli.st  minister,  apparently  fifty  years  of  ag«.',  sup- 
ported by  a  erutch  and  cane,  having  been  deprived  of 
a  leg  at  an  (.-arly  age;  but  whose  resigned  and  holy 
''ounlenancc  shed  a  luster  even  on  this  agonizing  sci.'ne, 
Mild  gave  ample  evidence  that  his  allections  and  liope^ 
were  not  i)laeed  on  sublunary  things,  but  that  he  look- 
'.-.d  for  a  city  (^f  repose  beyond  tin;  bounds  of  earthly 
persecution. 

1  was  not  now  allowed  to  njjproach  my  husband,  aa 
all  were  surrounded  by  a  strong  guard,  and  could  but 
look  the  words  of  hope  I  fain  would  have  s{)oken,  to 
(Micouragc  him  to  bear,  with  resignation  to  the  Divine 
will,  all  that  might  yet  befall  him,  while  I  endeavored 
to  pray  that  God  would  sustain  us.  They  were  now 
nearly  ready.  1  wished  the  guard  to  ask  the  prison- 
ers if  1  could  render  them  any  service  by  writing  to 
their  friends.  Yes,  said  Linus  W.  Miller,  a  brave 
American  from  Chautauque  county,  whose  noble  bear- 
ing was  ever  admirable,  "tell  my  friends  that  I  am 
well,  and  w^uM  have  written  them  a  letter  of  adieu, 
had  1  not  been  prevented  by  the  Queen^s  rihands^^'' 
holding  up  his  manacled  hands.  The  order  to  march 
was  now  given;  and  as  the  prisoners,  with  the  soldiers 


5  *f. 


U  f 


>  3  S  * 


102 


MRij.    WAIT  S    LKTTKU. 


i 


iM 


i 


1  ,   .Ti.       '* 


1'  "       "' '!• 


u  lio  giianlcd  lliom,  pns.scil  (»ut  of  tl»u  furt,  1  lollowcd 
ill  tlic  (Jisljiiicc,  ga/ingal'lrr  flio  |tfirtncr  ofniy  liO,'  iiiul 
nirccticiMs,  wlio  was  fa-st  rcccdiMg  tVoin  my  sight. 

Tlicy  wore  soon  lo(Ig(.'(.l  on  lioaitl  tlu!  lio'il  to  bo  cnr- 
iictl  onward;  and  as  tlio  Irwl  glihi|».so  was  cut  short,  by 
ihc  crowding  ol*  tlic;  soldiers  on  deck,  unconsions  ofniy 
own  lon*dy  situation,  or  aught,  save  the  distressing 
Ic'cdings  lliat  absorbed  my  ^oul,  1  lelt  myscll'  sijiking 
to  the  ground,  wiien  an  chlcrly  g<'ntleman,  wlioni  I 
had  not  seen  until  then,  took  lioki  of  my  arm,  and 
kindly  asked  nic  if  any  of  those  prisoners  were  friends 
<»fniine?  I  told  him  my  husband  was  there.  He  said 
ho  would  sec  mo  to  a  house  whero  I  could  remain  un- 
til I  was  better  able  to  go  to  my  boanling  house;  which 
lie  did,  and  brought  m(!  some  hot  wine  and  water, 
which  served  in  a  measure  to  recruit  me,  as  I  was 
very  cold,  having  stood  nearly  two  hours  in  Ji  bleak 
November  wind.  This  kind,  good  man  informed  mc 
when  ilie  boat  had  left,  and  1  arose  with  an  cObrt  to 
reach  my  lodgings,  where  1  went  immediately  to  bod, 
not  being  able  to  sit  up  until  the  next  day;  and  must 
ever  feel  grateful  to  my  compassionate  hostess,  Mrs. 
WHielplcy,  who,  with  licr  fann'ly,  treated  mc  with  the 
lUujost  kindness,  making  no  charge  for  their  attention. 

My  business  being  now  completed  at  Kingston.  I 
returned  to  my  dear  child,  whom  I  look;  and,  heart 
stricken  with  the  trials  I  had  suOered  ir^  Canada,  I 
came  to  this  place,  where,  I  am  thankful  t^  say,  I  have 
found  many  friends,  who  sympathise  with,  and  endea- 
vor to  console  mc;  and  since  here,  I  have  received  a 
letter  from  my  dear  husband,  at  Quebec,  describing 


1  ■        i"' 


KETTE118    FROM    V.   I).   L. 


UK] 


tlio  many  hardships  ho  rnduiVMl  (ni  the  pftssago  down, 
and  informing  mo  thfU  lie  was,  indeed,  lo  eml)aik  for 
I'.ngland,  on  the;  '2Ikl  idt.,  wiiith'r  I  camiot  but  hope  I 
shall  yet  be  enabled  to  go,  and  picail  fur  a  panlon  or 
mitigation  of  his  sulU-rings,  at  the  foot  of  the  throne. 
Surely  the  youthful  (^U'^en  will  deign  to  listen  to  my 
cntP.aties,  if  1  ean  reaeh  her;  and  I  dit  trust,  that  Ciod, 
m  his  mercy,  will  provide  a  way  for  me  to  do  so, 
though  all  seems  dark  at  present;  and  if  it  is  at  all 
praelicahlc,  bo  assured,  I  will  go;  at  which  lime,  how- 
ever, 1  will  write  you  agtiin. 

Yours,  truly, 

M.  \V. 


LETTEll   \1. 


lo 


AsMoRONE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  I).  L. 

August,  1840. 


IMy  Dear  Sir  :  My  last  closed  on  the  Oih  of  Nov.,  5^ 
at  the  embarkation  of  twenty-three  state  prisoners  on 
board  the  steamer  Coburgh,  and  the  last  parting  scene 
with  my  wife.  When  the  fiat  went  forth  that  separa- 
ted us,  probably  forever,  she  followed  at  a  distui.ce, 
(as  near  as  the  humanity  of  our  guards  would  permit 
her  to  approach,)  saw  my  legs  and  arms  shackled, 
and  still  accompanied  to  the  place  of  embarkation, 
and  there  stood  in  the  face  of  a  chill  wintry  wind, 
waving  adieus  until  wo  were  lost  to  her  sight. 

When  aroused  to  a  sense  of  reality  by  the  surround- 
ing objects  of  life,  and  the  pains  caused  by  the  chains 


>.  j'ii 
i'  III 


4 


If! 


m 


104 


LETTERS    FHOM    V.   I).   L. 


L ,, 


•!  ''li 


^  i-s 


'■'.;*>,■ 


of  despotism,  I  began  to  give  place  to  a  concc})lion  of 
loneliness,  and  a  disposition  to  review  the  cliequcretl 
scones  of  the  f<ast,  or  to  pierce  the  dark  veil  of  futu- 
rity that  lUing  like  a  pall  before  mo.  Neither  hope 
nor  calmness  forsook  me;  I  felt  that  every  principle 
actuating  my  heart,  and  inducing  me  to  take  the  j)art 
1  did  in  opposition  to  oppression,  was  founded  on  truth, 
on  justice,  and  on  philanthropy;  and  neces.'iarily  the 
exertions  must  ultimately  result  to  the  good  of  some, 
although  tliere  was  no  probability  of  my  |>articipaling 
in  that  good,  yet  the  anticipation  carried  with  it  a  full 
compensation  for  all  my  personal  sufTuring  and  loss. 
1  could  see  in  the  obscurity  of  the  future  a  succession 
of  trials,  of  distress,  and  of  sorrow;  yet  beyond  was 
a  gleam  of  sunshine,  a  bright  halo  of  joy,  piercing 
the  gloom,  and  beaconing  me  on  to  the  rencounter, 
with  not  a  mere  hope,  but  a  glowing  confidence,  ground- 
ed o)i  substantial  evidence,  that  has  not  }'ct  deserted 
me,  though  a  gulf  of  sorrow  and  banks  of  trouble 
must  yet  be  traversed  ere  1  reach  the  gleam  of  sun- 
shine, or  am  encircled  by  that  halo  of  joy;  the  par- 
taker of  freedom  reunited  to  the  dear  ones  of  earth. 
Still  the  probability  of  evil  and  want  befalling  those 
loved  ones,  occasionly  brought  with  it  a  corroding 
thought,  a  bitter  pang,  yet  God  was  their  shield,  in 
whom  they  trusted,  and  surely  I  ought  not  to  mourn 
distresses  I  knew  no  certainty  of. 

You  will  sec  by  the  following  extract  from  one  of 
Mrs.  Wait's  letters,  mentioned  in  my  last,  and  written 
on  the  night  of  the  8th  Nov.,  in  expectation  of  not 
visiting  me  on  the  morning  of  the  0th,  that  she  had 


LFTTKRS    FROM    V.   I).    L. 


105 


nol  llio  slightest  iiiliin.-ilion  of  ilio  h;i.sty    rv."Moval   pre- 
vious lo  the  rnoriiing  on  wliicli  wo  embarked. 

*  *  *  '*I  bnvo  roiuaiiiL-J  afrc,  afitr  bcnig  iiituniictl  ihat  I 
could  not  bo  uUdwcJ  to  rciiilor  you  iiiiy  ast^islauci-',  or  even  visit 
vi>ii  in  your  nboilo,  unlc-^s  undor  euch  rest  rid  ions  aa  would  ndd  lo 
c)ur  inieory;  for  I  could  nol  bring  my-rdf  to  leave  the  m[)o(  wbcre 
•)iy  liH.-biind  tii<sh  '  wnhcodcd  to  tlic  un-ynipitlnzin>jr  wnll^,  IcPfi  ob- 
diirntc,  in  fact,  than  tbc  bcails  of  your  reliMitlfcB  koejicrH.  I  feel 
a  melancholy  plea'^uro  in  gazing  uiion  you,  though  it  be  through 
n  grated  window,  and  in  convcr.'^ing  with  yon,  tboivji  »'V(>ry  word 
JH  greedily  ewnllowtdby  an  uidVeling  guard.  Oli!  will  I  he  (iinc  ever 
conic  when  we  will  bo  diirrieiilly  eircum'^lri'iccil .'  Alfliough  eve- 
ry other  conBidoralioii  in  but  fccondfiry,  yd  I  niu-(  fear  inypelf 
awny,  for  our  d'.ar  babe  claims  a  nv:)(lKr'H  earc  Tiiore  is  no  op- 
pjriunity  olfering  for  my  gaining  my  daily  bread,  which  I  fain 
would  do,  if  I  could  in  the  sligbleat  measure  meliorate  y(nir  con- 
dition, or  avert  one  pang  from  your  already  eitrcharged  heart. 
The  pca^on  is  aleo  rapidly  apiiroachifig  in  which  i(  would  be  utter- 
ly inipo=;siblo  tor  mo  to  i-egain  my  hoinc.  'J'here  in,  likowi«c,  ho 
iuuch  exf'ilement  in  the  country,  and  rumors  of  a  gencTal  riying, 
that  the  Governor  may  take  it  into  his  head  to  remove  you  and 
your  fellow  prisoner.--,  which  would  necessarily  r^uiler  iny  t<itua- 
tion  one  of  unjjaralleled  unhappincK-?.  I  sincere  !y  hone  I  hat  oiir 
present  ndicu^^  will  be  for  but  a  phorf.  period,  ns'  I  strongly  truet 
that  my  application  to  the  Queen  wi  1  be  I'avorably  receivcil;  if 
not,  and  the  government  persist,  in  carrying  your  sentence  into 
full  eifect,  (which  I  can  not  believe  Ihey  dare  do,)  I  am  determin- 
ed on  proceeding  direct  to  En^^dand,  and  personally  claim,  at  her 
Mnjc.'ity's  haiul."?,  your  freedom;  and  she  can  not  deny  what  I  shall 
liave  travelled  so  far,  and  surmounted  so  many  difliculties  to  en- 
compafs."     *     *     * 

Here  wore  evidences  of  an  unbounded  generosity 
and  devoted  affection  that  ought  to  maintain  a  lasting 
influence  over  my  mind  in  scenes  of  future  trial,  and 
furnish  a  sad  consoling  pleasure  to  the  heart  when  dis- 
posed to  repine.     And  they  ever  have;  though  sonti- 


HJ; 


100 


LETTERS    PROM    V.   D.   L. 


jf*. -;."■■;■ 
>  *  "v:"  I. 


'•'■■I' kill . 


> 


mcnls  expressed  at  our  parting  were  stronger  reitera- 
tions of  these,  yet  a  sight  of  the  precious  billet  would 
often  refresh  the  mind,  and  bring  tiic  recurrence  of  a 
thought  that  might  not  otherwise  have  presented  itself 
at  the  particular  time  it  was  needed.  They  remained 
loldcd,  and  in  the  depths  of  my  pocket  for  some  clays 
"ere  I  enjoyed  their  perusal.  In  fact,  cogitations  upon 
the  past,  and  the  realities  of  the  present,  had  driven 
them  from  my  mind. 

(Jur  quarters  on  board  the  steamer  were  most  un- 
eomfortahlc,  crowded  on  the  bow  deck,  and  penned  in 
on  all  sides  by  the  military  guard,  with  three  horses 
amoi]g  us,  and  the  deck  covered  with  their  litter,  upon 
which  wo  must  either  lie  or  stand,  while  the  weather 
was  very  cold,  and  we  had  nothing  but  our  own  clothes 
to  protect  us  from  it.  The  horses  were  restive,  and 
often  endangered  the  lives  and  limbs  of  those  who  es- 
sayed to  find  a  bed  near  them.  Our  baggage  had  been 
piled  on  our  inner  skirt;  Parker  and  myself  availed 
ourselves  of  its  contiguity,  and  settled  down  upon  it, 
where  I  endeavored  to  lull  myself  to  sleep,  but  vainly, 
tor  whenever  I  fell  into  a  drowse,  the  piercing  cold 
communicated  by  the  iron  on  my  bare  wrists,  would 
suddenly  arouse  me  to  painful  sensations;  and  the 
chains  upon  my  leg  kept  that  in  a  state  of  numbness. 
Yet  those  were  i  jt  evidences  sufficient  to  remind  us  of 
our  debasement. 

The  comfort  of  sitting  was  too  n  ch  for  us  to  en- 
joy in  the  presence  of  a  stripling  ensign  of  the  93d 
regiment  of  the  Queen's  Own  L.  I.,  who  happened  to 
pass  and  observe  us.     He  instantly  ordered  the  sentry 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L 


107 


tu  "prick  up  tlic  d d  rebels  with  liis  baj'onet,   and 

make  tlicm  stand."  Wc  regarded  not  the  order,  sup- 
posing it  given  oidy  in  the  exuberance  of  vinolent  spi- 
rits; but  tiiis  petty  oflicer,  early  schooled  in  the  brutal 
policy  of  his  government,  enraged  at  the  slight  his 
authority  had  sullbred,  drew  his  sword,  and  swore  he 
'Mvuuld  force  up  the  villains,  and  send  them  forward 
among  the  herd.'*  liut  I  could  not  discern  the  ne- 
cessity of  resigning  my  scat  and  standing,  during  a 
cold  and  tedious  night,  therefore  remained  unmoved. 
This  obstinacy  created  an  altercation  that  brought  to 
the  deck  Commander  ■Major  Arthur,  who,  before  any 
enquiry,  gave  the  usual  order  to  "shoot  down  the  pris- 
oners if  any  suspicious  movements  were  observed:'* 
and  then  demanded  "the  cause  of  the  row.*'  The 
officer  replied  "it  was  [my]  refusal  to  obey  his  orders 
and  move  forward.''  "Does  he  !"  returned  the  re- 
doubted Arthur,  "I  wish  I  was  empowered  to  do  so, 
I  would  rid  the  world  of  them  all  at  once,  and  thus  re- 
lieve the  British  government  of  further  trouble  with 
them." 

The  master  of  the  boat  came  to  his  assistance,  with 
language  more  filing  a  Billingsgate  Calender  than  this 
letter,  of  which  Parker  got  his  full  share.  I  still  re-* 
niained  sitting,  and  pointed  out  the  im[)ossibility  of 
finding  room,  even  for  standing,  f  u'ward  of  where  we 
were,  wiien  the  civic  ofliccr,  in  whose  immediate  charge 
wc  were  placed,  interfered,  and  begged  wc  might  be 
sufiered  to  remain.  It  was  "granted,"  and  the  valiant 
Major,    with  his  Billingsgate  champion,    returned  to 


'Wt 


'■'6?     ■* 

■    w    •> 


'     Si 


M^ 


'I- 


"^1^:.  .>,. 


)  'I 
It 


lOS 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    D.    L. 


.-^^ 


a! 


:-t 


I'  \"  >  ■'(■■  II 


■■•!i»i;,:.'i:i 


tlioir  caliiu  and  tlieir  cups.  The  invslovv  was  ox- 
j)laino(l  Wy  tlic  sontrv,  "on  iho  sly,''  wlio  said,  "you 
should  liavo  arisou  when  tlio  olTiccr  ordered  it,  and  then 
you  could  have  sat  down  again,  and  nothing  more 
would  have  been  said.  lie  only  wanted  to  show  bin 
authority.*'  Well  !  well  !  thought  I,  if  wo  must  re- 
ceive such  marks  of  the  power  of  every  petty  minion 
we  moot,  our  reslraini  will  not  be  ideasanl. 

We  glided  down  the  waters  of  the  Ontario  and  St. 
Lawrence  with  speed,  and  found  ourselves  at  a  wharf 
at  Prcscott  very  early  the  following  morning.  Here 
lay  the  small  steamboat  Dolphin,  with  a  piece  of  brass 
ordinance  mounted  on  her  bow,  and  a  company  of 
volunteers  on  board.  About  eight  we  were  transfered 
to  her,  and  prepared  to  descend  the  Long  Sault  rapids. 
The  morning  wa;i  extremely  cold,  and  we  suffered 
much,  being  entirely  unsheltered.  I'he  day,  however, 
became  fine  as  the  sun  approached  the  meridian,  and 
we  enjoyed  with  considerable  delight  the  passage  down 
this  noble  river,  though  the  novelty  was  interrupted  by 
the  clanking  of  ciuiins,  and  the  ])ains  from  our  wrist- 
lets. As  we  approached  the  head  of  t!ie  Long  Sault, 
WG  beheld  the  river  narrowing  to  ^i  very  contracted 
*  channel,  down  which  "the  <  waters  of  many  lakes" 
whirled  with  a  dizzying  rapidity  that  seemed  to  beto- 
ken destruction  to  our  frail  bark.  "Its  war  of  waters 
tumultuous  roar,'**'  and  the  giddy  whirl  of  its  eddies, 
appeared  to  yawn  in  terror  upon  us,  and  the  master 
and  crew  were  palsied  with  fear,  for  this  was  the  first 
attempt  at  "riding  the  Sault"  with  a  craft  of  that  kind, 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   1).   I, 


100 


ami  only  risked  through  tho  imperious  necessity  of  a 
passage  boat  below,  to  replace  one  scuttled  and  sunk 
l)y  the  patriots. 

However,  we  "threaded  tho  passage"'  salViy,  round- 
0(1  to  at  the  foot  to  wood,  and  then  continued  to  Corn- 
wall,  where  we  arrived  about  two  P.  M.,   having  ac- 
complished the  distance  in   an  incredible  short  space 
of  time.     It  was  said  then,   that  the  distance  of  nine 
miles  was.  run  in  fifteen   minutes.      In   passing  down 
the  St.  Lawrence,  the  ruu^ir  of  excitement  was  veri- 
fied by  multitudes  of  militia  collected  and  drilling  ujton 
lis  banks,   who  generally  saluted  us  with  IfMul  huzzas, 
r()iis(Mj,   probably,   by  the  cannon   on  our  deck.      We 
p'iss<;il  unansweiing,    save  in  one  solitary  case,   when 
Mr.  .J.  .1,  !McXulty  (th  ;  poor  fellow  is  now  dead)  sprang 
upon  the  cannon,   dragging  his   l)Oon  companion  with 
him,  and  shouted  three  times,    in  a  fUintorian  voice, 
'*llurra  for  the  Patriots  !'"  then  leaped  down  amid  the 
deafening  "braves''  of  his    companions.      Wo  nearly 
[)aid  dear  for  his  temerity,  for  th.;  sound  of  "Patriots," 
brought  the  musliitoom  gentry's  arms  to  a  present,  but 
perhaps  their  guns  were  charged  v/ith  something  be- 
sides powder,    or  had  "wooden  flints"   in  them,    for 
nothing    followed.      The  whole  lines  we   passed  evi- 
fienlly  expected  a  descent,  for  when  our  boat,  carrying 
no  ensign,   rounded   to  from  the  American  channel  of 
the  Long  Sault,  or  approached   near  the  shores,  tho 
banded  militia  fled   in  evident    panic,    or    skulked  to 
watch  tl 

The 


we 


movements  of  the  boat 
rain  comm 
reached  Cornwa 


need  falling  in  torrents  just  before 
11,  to  which  we  were  exposed  with- 


'  "ff  i 


!.';1 


h 


j  ?  v..    ! 


/  » 


no 


r.K'ITKIlS    FROM     V.   D.    L. 


A 


u 


i 


Ic     'I  « 


■ 

1 

- 

- 

■  ■■ 

^ 

'  '4 

'        i 

.' 

-t 

out  remedy.  As  soon  as  \vc  touched  tlic  wharf,  the 
commandant  of  tho  station,  Col.  Tnrncr,  (wiio  sported 
a  VV^•U.J^loo  Scargeunt's  Medal  on  the  outside  breast  of 
his  coat,)  was,  with  his  olFicers,  called  to  hold  a  coun- 
cil in  tho  cabin  ot'  the  boat,  which,  after  an  hour  spent 
in  consultation,  dctcrmineil  on  detaining  us  there  for 
a  few  days,  until  the  "rising  below  should  be  qu'dlcd," 
which  7('e  hoped  would  succeed  to  the  hearts  content 
of  the  participators,  and  visit  Cornwall  ere  many  hours. 
(>ol.  Turner's  corps  were  turned  out  in  the  rain  to 
guard  us  to  the  j:-'!,  who  were  a  set  of  as  ragged,  and 
as  hideous  looking  \/retches  as  I  ever  beheld  in  the 
shape  of  men. 

When  they  were  ranked  in  double  tile,  the  gallant 
colonel,  from  under  the  awning  of  the  boat,  ordered 
them  to  "load  with  ball  cartridge,  and  shoot  down  every 
man  who  showed  the  slightest  disposition  to  escape."" 
Our  luggage  was  thrown  upon  the  dock,  that  the  boat 
misrht  be  used  to  carry  men  to  the  scene  on  the  other 
shore,  of  the  "high  spirited  war"  that  was  being  wa- 
ged against  defenceless  women  and*childrcn,  and  the 
conflagration  of  their  houses,  barns  and  stores.  VVlicn 
all  were  prepared  for  marching,  and  tho  colonel  on 
horseback,  he  took  the  opportunity  of  haranguing 
his  "noble  fellows,''  in  the  true  spirit  of  an  upstart 
British  swaggart,  with  no  other  apparent  design  than 
to  impress  us  with  high  ideas  of  his  consequence,  and 
keep  us  longer  exposed  to  the  pitiless  storm.  I  um 
sure  he  could  not  have  taken  a  course  better  calcula- 
ted to  exemplify  a  mean  cowardly  heart,  than  the  one 
he  adopted.     And  not  a  man  among  us  gave  him  cred- 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


Ill 


it  for  any  tiling  more  than  what  ho  really  was  worth. 
There  is  no  conceiving  how  long  we  might  have  been 
subjected  to  this  detention,  had  not  the  rain  cooled  his 
garrulity,  and  benefitted  us  by  producing  tlie  order  to 
"mircli.'' 

The  road  was  uncommonly  bad,  aiitl  it  was  with 
exertions  painful  in  the  extreme,  that  we  drew  our 
chained  limbs  along,  encumbered  with  a  part  of  our 
baggage,  which  we  were  told  we  must  carry  or  lose; 
tlie  remainder,  however,  was  subsequently  sent  after 
us.  Wc  linally  readied  the  jail,  a  large  brick  l»uil- 
(ling,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  landing, 
with  an  imposing  appearance  upon  the  outside.  But 
inside,  like  the  Jewish  sepulchres,  *'filled  with  dead 
men's  bones,"'  alias,  filth,  vermin,  and  a  number  of 
the  drunken  orange  soldiery,  thrown  in  the  cells  for  a 
few  hours,  to  give  time  for  their  superabundant  spirits 
to  evaporate.  Indeed,  a  shelter  of  any  kind,  would 
liavc  been,  at  that  time,  peculiarly  grateful;  so  when 
wo  wore  ushered  into  the  large  dirty  hall,  wc  were 
not  disposed  to  murmur  at  the  absence  of  all  comfort, 
a  "I'oaring  fire  excepted,"  which  soon,  however  made 
us  feel  the  consequences  of  a  sudden  transition  from 
severe  cold  to  intense  heat.  The  badness  of  the  roads, 
and  inclemency  of  the  weather,  had  fatigued  us  so  ef- 
fectually, that  wc  were  fain  to  throw  ourselves  upon 
the  floor,  as  soon  as  wc  entered.  Our  clothes,  satura- 
ted with  rain,  steaming  in  the  heat,  rendered  our  con- 
dition horribly  disagreeable;  and  the  iron  clevies  upon 
our  wrists  had  also  caused  them  to  swell  in  such  a 
manner,  that  on  some  the  iron  was  buried  in  the  flesh. 


i-  "V^fh 


I 


ii  'i 


H, 


';  1- 


.  ,-r  "'^ 


112 


LETIl.US    FUOM     V.   I).    L. 


,  ■?  • 


^4 


ill? 


If 


I' 

•ti 


1!! 


■ 

1 

i  ■' 

causiijg  cxcrutiatliig  pain,  as  well  the  inconvenience 
of  retaining  upon  us  our  upper  garments.  You  can 
scarce  form  an  idea  of  our  circumstances;  mine  were 
as  follow.s — In  the  fir.;t  place,  I  hrul  on  a  cloak  with 
my  manacled  arm  through  the  arin  hole;  then  an  over 
and  an  under  coat,  all  of  which  I  had  thrown  ofl'  as 
far  as  1  could,  leaving  them  hanging  on  my  right  arnu 
Parker  had  dune  tlie  same  with  two  coats,  thus  wo 
had  four  wet  coats  and  a  cloak  dangling  between  us, 
no  slight  inconvenience,  you  will  nay,  for  persons  fa- 
tigued as  we  were.  We  felt  it  so;  indeed,  we  thought 
it  unendurable,  and  np[died  to  some  young  oflicers. 
who  out  of  curiosity  vi.dted  us  during  the  night,  to 
have  the  cud's  removed.  Tiioy  brought  the  colonel 
to  see  us,  but  instead  of  his  syh)palhy  being  excited 
by  our  su'ierings,  he  swore  ho  would  add  to,  rather 
than  diminish  our  irons,  or  decrease  our  "deserved 
punishments.'' 

I  felt  enraged  at  his  inhumanity,  and  declared,  if  my 
life  was  spared,  and  liberty  regained,  I  would  meet 
him  again,  when  he  would  de^arly  rue  his  brutality  to 
deienceless  prisoners.  lie  muttered  curses  upon  my 
insolence,  and  departed.  Nothing  daunted,  we  next 
sent  for  the  military  surgeon,  who  came,  examined 
our  wrists,  and  said  *'it  was  indeed  too  bad,''  but  he 
had  no  power  to  act,  further  than  to  advise  a  rclca.se 
from  the  culls,  which  he  did,  without  eiTect.  And  we 
poor  slaves  of  caprice  must  spend  the  night  with  all 
our  wet  clothes  and  irons  on,  upon  the  floor,  without 
bed  or  bedding,  rest  or  sleep.  A  cup  of  tea  from  the 
provident  store  of  Mrs.  Wait,  revived  drooping  natiire 


f: 


M 


LKllKllS    FUO.M     v.    I>.    L. 


]\'A 


cnicncc 
ou  can 
10  were 
alv  with 
an  over 
I  of]'  us 
;lit  arm. 
Lliiis  we 
:on  us, 

iOllS  fu- 

tliouglit 
:>fliccr.s. 
ght,  to 
colonel 
excited 
,  rather 
escrveil 

1,  if  my 
Id  meet 
ality  to 
)on  my 
*ve  next 
amincd 
but  he 
release 
\nd  we 
v'ith  all 
without 
:om  the 
:natdre 


(I  littlo.  Indeed,  it  was  with  a  hlessing  upon  her  licad 
that  wo  partook  of  it  at  this  time,  and  subsequently; 
•n  the  morning  following,  a  very  good  breakfast,  of 
hnof  steak  and  lea,  was  furnished  i)y  the  good  nalurcii 
Duich  jailer,  who,  while  wo  were  eating,  enturtai.'icii 
us  with  some  of  his  complaints  against  the  gtjvcrn- 
mciit.  Ife  said  his  father  hail  been  ruintul  by  tlic 
govcrnmont,  and  so  had  himself;  still  ho  thought  tic 
ought  to  1x5  loyal.  About  eleven,  the  Deputy  :Sherili' 
who  a(:coiiipanied  us  from  Kingston,  made  hi,;  apic^ru- 
an<;'',  for  tho  fii-st  lime  since  landing,  olloring  tiio  in- 
idoiii'Mii'v  of  the  Wvjnthcr  as  an  excuse,  ibrg'ttinsj  o'li 
greater  inconvcnionco  in  the  mean  time.  Aft-.'r  Iv:.  J)  ul 
examined  our  wrists,  ho  concluded  to  take  the  cutis 
olF  Inr  the  day;  but  a  "rumor  of  invasion"  came  wiiile 
h'^  WIS  in  th)  act;  ho  therefore  reinvested  us  witli  th.'mi 
iinmodiatcly,  permitting  us,  however,  to  tlirow  olV'''!!- 
upper  garments,  and  have  them  put  on  transver.=  !y, 
viz.,  my  left  hand  to  Mr.  l'"s  right,  while  my  riglit  leg 
was  chained  to  his  lcl"t.  Thus  we  r-nnained  for  twn 
days,  cross  ironed;  yet  it  was  a  relief  to  the  arm  lir-M 
invested.  We  therefore  spent  the  day  in  comparaliv 
'iomfort,  and  enjoyed  a  season  of  retVeshing  prayer, 
with  scriptural  reading  and  a  religious  discourse,  'uy 
Mr.  Wixon,  who,  having  but  one  leg,  was  not  cncuiu- 
bered  with  irons. 

The  town  of  Cornwall,  and,  indeed,  every  part  o!' 
the  country,  was  in  a  state  of  feart'ul  alarm  and  ex- 
citement. Terror  was  depicted  in  every  countenance 
we  saw — Turner's  was  not  excepted.  We  wore  ri- 
gidly guarded,  and  every  motion  was  observed;  pons, 
8 


'i 


ill 


LKTTEKS    KROM    V.   I>.    L. 


i 


I '" 


■  I         'SVU 


I    . 


■fi     ■  i 


ink  and  paper  were  taken,  fearing  \sc  might  givo  in- 
formation of  our  detention  tlierc,  and  a  consequent 
rnscuo  bo  attempted.  Various  rumors  were  liourlv 
arriving,  of  the  I'atriot's  success,  magnified,  of  course, 
by  the  credulous  rclater.  The  re|)orts  were  not  des- 
tinod  for  our  cars;  hut  the  proximity  of  the  council 
ehamher,  and  tlie  earnest  trepidation  with  which  the 
news  was  related,  rendered  it  impossible  for  a  word 
to  escape  our  hearing;  consequently  the  exaggerated 
accounts  raised  our  anticipations  and  hopes  to  high 
expectations. 

On  the  second  dav  of  our  continuance  at  Cornwall, 
the  steamboat  returned  with  a  load  of  volunteers;  and 
two  liundred  stand  of  arms  were  distrihuted  to  them 
from  tlic  door  of  the  jail.  Those  additional  men,  it  was 
••xpected,  would  effectually  secure  the  place  against 
the  expected  attack;  yet  the  otTicers  who  gu'c  out  the 
arms,  expressed  fears,  in  a  consultation,  of  these  very 
ouns  Iwing  turned  against  themselves.  Indeed,  I  he- 
iievo  if  the  place  had  been  attacked  by  a  very  few  res- 
olute men,  not  only  would  it  have  been  carried,  but 
nearly  all  the  militia  would  have  become  insurgents. 

On  Monday,  a  number  of  the  young  militia  ofhcers 
visited  us,  and  were  very  communicative;  they  rcpeat- 
<^dly  intimated  a  hope,  nay,  on  assurance,  that  we 
would  not  be  retained  as  prisoners  much  longer.  Our 
cuffs  were  removed  for  a  few  hours  during  the  day; 
but,  out  of  compassion^  were  locked  on  for  the  night. 
We  laid  down  early,  in  our  clothes;  and  the  orders 
were  strict  against  having  any  lights  burning  in  the 
jail  that  night,  fearing  they  might  operate  as  beacons, 


'v'/:;!*: 


■    ?l  ll^' 


^m 


I.KTTKRM     FROM     N.    I).    I.. 


115 


10  tiio  attacking  party.  About  ten  an  alarm  was  youn- 
(led,  and  we,  the  poor  slaves  to  caprice  and  terror, 
were  ordered  for  removal  instantly.  lUit  before  we 
could  g(!t  on  our  overelothes,  the  order  for  immediate 
inarch  was  countermanded;  still  we  wen;  to  hold  our- 
selvo;  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  warning.  The 
authorities  knew  not  what  to  do,  and  were  distracted 
in  their  councils,  lt\  the  arrival  of  one  express  after 
another,  bringing  intelligence  of  the  "PrescoU  inva- 
sion,*' and  various  others,  only  known  by  report. 

Humors  of  an  intended  assault  upon  their  own  town, 
induced  them  to  got  rid  of  us  at  all  hazards.  A  retro- 
grade movement  was  not  practicable;  it  was  therefore 
(letcrmined  to  go  on  toward  Quebec,  and  run  the  gaunt- 
let with  the  "rebels  of  Lower  Canada.'*  13 ut  the  great- 
est difficulty  Jiow  presented  was,  the  procuring  an  ad- 
e-juato  guard  to  accompany  us,  the  fear  of  the  Patriot 
t'orces  ran  so  high.  However,  about  ten  A.  M.  the 
escort  was  ready,  and  we  again  embarked.  Our  boat, 
this  time,  was  the  "Neptune,**  Capt.  IJulloek,  who  re- 
ceived us  on  the  bow,  wheie  wo  stood,  or  sat,  on 
tbe  bare  deck,  tor  the  whole  day,  in  a  drizzling  rain — 
l)ei ng  rct'used  permission  to  go  under  the  promenade, 
where  was  unoccupied  space  suilicient  to  accommodate 
a  hundred  or  more  persons.  We  touched  lor  a  mo- 
ment at  Lancaster,  whore  tho  excitement  prevailed  in 
as  great  a  degree  as  at  Con.wall;  and  as  the  dusky 
clouds  of  evening  were  falling  about  us,  wo  approach- 
ed the  low,  muddy  looking  Goto  Du  Lac,  just  within 
tho  precincts  of  Lower  Canada,  and  the  spot  where 
Mrs.  Wait  so  providentially  met  Sir  George,  on  her 


i.. 


no 


LETTFRS    FIIOM    V.    ».     I,. 


t 


m 


i!? 


'■•I    '      Ik' 


'■m 


return  fr  m  Quebec.  As  wo  touched  tlio  wlmrf,  hiw- 
*  ycr  McDoiifilil,  of  h^t.  Catharines,  stepped  on  board; 
(ind  ftftcr  inquiring  of  n»y  family,  and  my  proUfdjU- 
destiny,  told  iivj  of  tlie  defeat  of  tlie  habituns,  witli  im- 
incnso  sI'.Mghtcr — tlie  sacking  anti  burning  of  their 
villages — the  destruction  of  families  and  property;  and 
f.-nded  with  siying,  *'lhat'.s  the  way!  'J'o  destroy  the 
crows,  you  must  burn  their  nests,  and  extM-minate 
their  young  *'  Inhuman  idea,  thought  I;  yet  it  might 
bo  well  if  it  had  n(jt  been  suggested  to  other  minds  than 
Ids;  for  tlie  hi^rhest  men,  in  this  portion  of  th(;  r.riti.ih 
r.'alm,  possessed  tli;.'  sam;3  barbarous  opinion,  and  ac- 
l  (I  upon  it  to  tlr;  fidlcst  extent.  This  policy  was  sitn- 
|dy  but  forcibly  illustrated  by  a  poor  fellow,  tlie  pilot 
of  llic  boat,  who  5:;aid,  with  tears  upon  his  ch(:el\3.  in 
his  broken  English,  *'d  ?  poor  woujan  and  de  childs 
ran  in  (k;  wood.-  from  th-  roldiers,  and  by'm  by  they 
eomo  back — no  b m  ■",  no  home,  no  pork,  no  bread! 
What  can  dey  do.'  i-iic  down  in  de  stKnv,  fivf/c 
starve,  die!     Oh  mon  Dieu!*' 

From  the  villaf;:)  we  were  taken,  in  i-'ri'iieh  "tum- 
brils,*'  to  lh(}  old  fort,  soma  distanc(3  below.  'J\vo 
pair  (four  men)  were  placed  in  each  cart,  and  drawn 
by  one  horse.  The  roads  were  so  muddy  and  bad. 
that  it  was  often  necessary  for  us  to  got  down,  and  ex- 
tricate the  empty  cart  from  the  ruts.  ►5till  the  inhuman 
guard  thought  proper  to  add  his  weight  to  the  aready 
■.00  heavy  load,  which  was  sure  to  create  tumultuous 
;  Itcrt.-ations  between  them  and  the  drivers.  The  dark- 
i.:;ss  was  so  extreme  that  it  became  necessary  to  come 

a  halt,  until  luuterns  could  be  procured,  by  the  light 


I-KTTKRH    FROM    V.    I).    L. 


ir 


ot  wliicli  WO  succcotlofl  ill  arrivini^  jit  llic  old  i/twl  lor- 
U'Os.^  {i!>i>iit cigttl al  iiigljt,  com|)l<;ti-Iy  covered  uitli  iiuid; 
;ii"l  Were  .  Iiown  into  one  of  tlio  gmird  rooms,  so  small 
llijit  wi;  could  Hut  all  lie  or  sit  dow  a  at  iho  snmn  time; 
iiee.'.s-,fu'ilv  wo  wero  forced  to  lie  iiptjii  the  lloor  bv 
liirii.' ,  ill  oiir  wet  and  muddy  clothes,  and  with  all  our 
ii'niis  on.  Kvcry  elVurl  to  procure  food  for  the  night 
was  unavailing;  so  recourse  was  again  had  to  ilie 
hug,  which,  with  a  small  crust  of  hrt  ad,  preserved 
tVo:n  hrealvfast,  .sup[)lic(l  us  I'or  supper.  Our  mnn;igr- 
iii'iul,  on  thi,<  occasion,  was  ratlvr  laughahle,  anil  1 
'•annul  omit  relating  it:  w  hen  we  had  concludrtt  upon 
ui'".!;ing  tea,  a  dilliculty  [jrcsented  itself,  as  to  how  wc 
.>{iould  obtain  hot  water;  hut  tint  was  happily  obvia- 
t^d,  hy  a  lucky  thought  of  one  of  the  numb'.'r,  who 
produced  a  small  tin  basin,  in  which  tli  ->  watf.'r  was 
boiled,  and  tea  made  for  two  porr^ons,  who  drank  it, 
•uid  relircd  to  their  couch,  upon  "the  soft  side  of  a 
planlc,'*  to  make  room  for  two  others;  and  so  on,  in 
rotation,  until  toward  the  "end  of  the  row,''  when  tho 
lirst  rctirijig  had  to  get  up  and  give  place  to  the  last; 
ihus  occupying  nearly  the  whole  night  in  taking  tea; 
and  happy  were  we,  too,  that  £;o  much  comfort  was 
loft  to  us.  However,  the  next  day  wc  made  up  for 
our  night  of  fasting.  The  guards  were  the  Glcngary 
militia,  whose  duty  it  was  to  maintain  possession  of 
the  fort.  Their  wives,  daughters,  and  sweethearts, 
made  them  a  visit,  bringing  fruits,  vegetables,  and 
other  comforts,  rarilies  in  warrior^s  messes,  who  sym- 
pathised in  our  misfortunes,  and  taught  their  friends 
to  do  so  too,  sharing  their  provisions  with  us,  and  ma- 


'  if ; 


ll. 


ii*^ 


'^    ' 


s  >< 


118 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  U.   L. 


i;.H 


■•!?;ihi 


fi|    n-'  ■'■■  ■■:.  h 


I 


r-Mrt,! 


1  ■.:>• 


king  our  situation  more  endurable.  They  were  all 
Highlanders,  and  recognized  in  McLcod,  a  "genuine 
McLudc  of  Skic,'"'  by  his  manly  bearing,  form,  and 
make,  which,  in  fact,  would  have  done  honor  to  the 
"kilts  and  tartans.'' 

The  aspect  of  aflliirs  below,  rendered  our  immedi- 
ate progress  imprudent,  and  wo  uere,  therefore,  de- 
tained for  the  day. 

Parker  and  myself  were  permitted  to  walk  in  the 
parade  ground,  with  an  armed  man  at  our  back.  Wo 
passed  several  respectable  looking  Frenchmen,  who 
saluted  us  with  evident  emotion,  taking  oif  their  hats, 
and  gazing  at  us  with  intense  anxiety,  and  countenances 
distorted  with  agony.  I  "mark  .u  the  Gael,''  as  he 
walked  by  us,  and  saw  the  tear  of  sympathy  glisten  in 
his  eye,  as  our  chains  rattled  along  upon  the  frozen 
ground.  I  accosted  him,  and  said,  "my  good  fellow, 
you  manifest  a  commiseration  for  the  miseries  of 
your  fellow  men,  who  wear  the  chains  of  our  unhappy 
government."  He  understood  and  spoke  English 
very  well;  and  replied,  in  accents  of  wo,  "Canada, 
unhappy,  poor,  torn  to  pieces,  hurnt  up,  by  that  bad 
tyrant,  Gen.  Colborne.  We  arc  very  good  reformers, 
but  must  turn  out,  or  be  burnt  up  too,  like  our  poor 
neighbors,  the  Frenchmen."  Then  shaking  his  head, 
forbodingly  turned  away,  and  would  say  no  more, 
notwithstanding  our  repeated  attempts  to  draw  him 
out.  Toward  evening,  wo  were  visited  by  Mr.  Adams, 
commissariat  of  the  station,  through  whose  influence 
we  were  relieved  of  the  cuffs,  for  the  following  night, 
and  a  part  of  our  number  taken  to  another  room. 


t 


LETTERS    PROM    V.   D.   L. 


110 


were  all 

genuine 

•rm,  and 

»r  to  the 

inunotJj- 

•ns  do- 
in  the 
:.     We 
1,    who 

r  hats, 
nances 

as  ho 
«ren  in 
frozen 
fellow, 
•ies   of 
happy 
nglish 
anada, 
at  bad 
'mers, 

poor 
head, 
more, 

him 
ams, 
lence 
light, 


The  morning  of  ihc  10th  opened  with  a  heavy  wind 
up  the  river,  rendering  futile  an  attempt  to  proceed  by 
water,  in  a  derham  boat,  down  tiio  rapids,  that  inter- 
venes between  this  and  the  village  of  the  Cascades; 
consequently  it  was  necessary  to  return,  and  pass  down 
by  land.  The  two  passenger  wagons  used  there,  in 
that  season  of  year,  and  several  tumbrils,  were  pres.s- 
cd,  into  which  we  got  and  were  driven  off.  The  roads 
were  shocking  bad,  and  we  could  not  go  beyond  a 
walk.  We  had  scarcely  started,  before  a  terrible 
storm  of  rain,  snow  and  sleet,  came  up,  driving  into 
our  faces  with  unremitted  violence  for  several  "hours. 
It  completely  covered  us  with  one  sheet  of  ice,  from 
head  to  foot,  giving  us  more  the  appearance  of  icy 
statues  than  living  beings;  and  I  am  sure  some  of 
the  less  warmly  clad  felt  so  too.  Just  as  we  were  en- 
tering the  precincts  of  the  Cedars,  a  small  village  about 
iialf  way  from  the  Colo  to  the  Cascades,  where  we 
halted  for  a  half  hour,  the  71st  regiment  of  regulars, 
on  their  way  to  the  Upper  Province,  met  us,  fresh  from 
the  scenes  of  conflagration,  carnage,  and  ruin.  Thou- 
sands of  the  volunteei'S,  men  from  the  dregs  of  society; 
and  the  militia,  loaded  with  the  booty  and  plunder  of 
Beauharnois,  followed  in  their  wake.  This  scum  of 
society,  this  oftscouring  of  the  Canadas,  or,  I  might 
say,  of  the  world,  exhibited  an  inconceivably  disgust- 
ful appearance.  They  went  along,  without  the  least 
order  or  discipline,  in  one  confused,  tumultuous  mass; 
cursing,  swearing,  singing,  and  loudly  exulting  in  the 
destruction  and  misery  they  had  caused.  They  had 
pressed  hundreds  of  French  horses  and  carts,  to  trans- 


m 


m 


j-^o 


LETTLIlb    FIlOiM     \.   D.   L. 


'I 

I 
'I 


^ 


ill! 

i; 

t 

I 

I'! '"■5-:;  ill 

■::pl! 


5  '  '   ,         'i 


risiiM;:: 


f:i!V">!in 


jiOi't  tliL'ir  plunder;  and  poor,  dumb  aiiiinalsl   they  suf- 
tuTcd  severely  ihe  brutal  j)assions  oi"  tiiose  bauds  ol' 


-ft 


ii'dl  robbers — those  enemies  to  order,  law  a.ad.   rjohi: 


wo  passed  several  of  these  horses  overthrown  in  the 
i::ud,  and  undergoing  an  inhuman  castigfition,  inetlcc- 
lual  in  making  them  rise.  In  some  instances,  the  j)Oov 
habitan  willingly  received  the  blows  designed  iur  his 
prostrate  horse.  This  m;iss  of  human  beings  iilied  the 
load  i^.tr  miles,  and  I  should  imagine  they  numbered 
three  or  four  thousand;  and  in  tlieir  rear,  as  if  to  th'ive 
them  onward,  came  our  old  jO'/ez/t/,  Major  Arthur,  with 
his  sLafl",  and  a  company  of  regular*.  1  le  rode  up  to 
•  iio  wagons,  and  demaiiued  what  prisoners  they  had? 
On  being  informed,  he  ordered  a  halt;  and  the  prison- 
I  rs  to  get  down  and  proceed  on  foot,  while  he  was  de- 
'.•■rmined  to  occupy  the  learns  for  his  own  especial  use„ 
This  arbitrary  desire  created  a  deal  of  altercation:  but 
our  noljle  spirited  Highlanders,  were  faithful  to  iheir 
charge:  and  although  the  gallant  3,Iajor,  in  tiic  heat  of 
the  disjiute,  dismounted  in  rage,  breathing  threats 
against  our  guards,  they  maintained  our  right  to  the 
teams,  well  knowing  it  was  an  'utter  impossibility  for 
us  to  walk  several  miles,  with  chains  dragging,  to 
'■atcli  every  protuberance  on  the  road. 

It  was  in  utter  darkness  that  we  arrived  at  tliC  Cas- 
;ades,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles  from  the  Goto. 
Here  wc  were  obliged  to  remain  near  an  hour  in  the 
wagons,  before  a  shelter  could  be  obtained  for  us.  Fi- 
nally, a  room,  just  vacated  by  a  party  of  volunteer 
guards,  was  procured.  They,  providentially  for  us, 
left  a  kettle  of  boiled  potatoes  in  one  corner  of  the  fire 


I   .   ,;|  ; 


LETTKRS    FROM    V.   D.    I. 


1-il 


j)lac.',  whicli  were  eaten  without  ollior  sauce  tiiau  huii- 
iror,  and  only  suiiplied  about  t\v<-)  to  a  ni;!ii — a  snuill 
supper,  ijidec-'d.,  for  men  who  had  spoilt  a  whoK?  day  in 
ri  torribl .'  storm,  witiiout  food.  'I'lio  rain  and  .-dret  had 
congeak'd  upon  our  external  garuunts,  not  po  net  fating 
r!.t  all;  we  wci'o,  therefore,  comparatively  comfortahle, 
when  Wv!  threw  our  weary  bodies  upon  the  floor.  an(i 
.'lid  'avored  t  )  betake  ourselves  to  sleen,  as  well  as 
cin-amsiances  would  permit. 

The  storm  raged  witii  tcrribl'!  fuj-y  for  nearly  tiu 
v.ii  lie  night,  as  if  all  the  element^  were  cu-mbin* d  fi> 
re!i(ier  nature  I'rightful.  It  Mas  long  aft'M*  I  la\'  down 
V'lv  I  coidd  compose  myself  to  sicej);  not  l.uit  that  i 
ii.'";ded  rest  and  repose,  yet  it  wa.s  driven  from  me  by 
tii'  amount  of  horrors  I  had  witnessed  that  (:ay.  .My 
mdi'l  conjured  up  scenes  of  wretchednc!ss  and  oeatu. 
by  exposure  to  the  pitiless  storm,  of  thousands  of  poor 
houseless  Patriots,  who,  with  their  wives  a.nfl  ciiiidren. 
Iiad  been,  within  the  last  three  da}-*,  driven  to  seek  a. 
hiding  place  in  the  woods,  from  the  ))Crsecutions  cTT 
'heir  fiend-like  pursuers.  I  saw  them  vainly  endea- 
voring to  find  shelter  iVom  the  bhist  by  skulking  be- 
neath the  trunks  of  trees  and  tlie  leafless  bous-hs  of 
the  forest  oak,  without  fjod,  without  cluthinr,  and 
daring  not,  under  the  fear  of  death,  to  return  to  th(- 
spot  where  their  homes  liad  been,  but  noic  were  iwi. 
Oh,  1  felt  as  if  each  new  burst  of  the  tempest  carried 
grim  death  to  some  hapless  victim,  and  every  fresh 
gust  of  the  roaring  wind  sounded  a  funeral  kneli 
for  some  unhappy  soul,  severed  from  its  clay  tene- 
ment by  the  hand  of  barbarity!     Oh,  how  sad  were 


i 


i*--  'i' 


v-— ^ 


12-. 


LETTERS    FROM   V.   D.   L. 


• 


'■'A 


m 


their  siifTcrings  as  pictured  to  my  mind!  yet  might  not 
those  very  persons  who  were  then  shrieking  in  the  last 
struggles  of  nature,  bo  in  a  more  enviable  situation 
than  I,  who  was  condonincd  to  not  only  share  every 
vicisitude  of  bodily  sulferanco,  but  undergo  every  in- 
famy, disgrace,  debasement  and  m?ntal  distress,  that 
could  be  heaped  upon  man.  Yet  I  saw  myself  borne 
up  through  all  I  had  yet  experienced  with  unanticipa- 
ted fortitude.  ITowever,  had  all  things  been  o{)encd 
at  once  to  my  view,  and  all  the  evils  I  had  felt  been 
poured  down  on  my  devoted  head  at  once,  dispair,  or 
at  least,  despondency  would  have  been  my  lot.  Even 
then  I  knew  not  the  amount  1  liad  yet  to  endure,  and 
well  for  me  that  the  dim  uncertain  future  was  shaded 
by  the  curtain  of  merciful  silence,  so  that  when  it  was 
withdrawn,  and  slowly  as  I  could  bear,  came  sorrow 
and  severe  anguish,  the  spirit  was  (Hiabled  to  abide  all, 
for  it  knew  not  the  worst. 

At  a  late  hour  my  melancholy  musings  gave  way  to 
the  sacred  balm  of  religion,  which  calmed  my  heart's 
turbulent  passions,  and  checked  its  transports  of  grief. 
1  heartily  commended  my  sleeping  companions,  with 
all  suffering  humanity,  to  the  care  of  kind  heaven, 
and  throwing  myself  unreservedly  upon  its  proffered 
protection,  sunk  into  a  placid  repose.  But  repose 
could  not  last,  the  clanking  of  my  companions'  chains, 
and  the  pains  arising  from  my  own,  aroused  me  at  a 
very  early  hour  to  recollection  and  misery.  While 
awaiting  the  passage  boat,  we  observed  several  flat- 
bottomed  boats  approaching  from  the  opposite  shore, 
where  the  greatest  destruction  had  taken  place,  loaded 


LETTERS    PROM    V.   D.   L. 


123 


with  cattle,  produce,  and  houseliold  goods  of  every 
description,  though  the  wind  blew  f>till  quite  fresh. 

About  12,  the  steamer  Dragon  arrived  from  Beau- 
liarnois,  also  freighted  with  every  sort  of  plunder,  as 
well  as  a  number  of  militia,  part  of  the  anny  we  met 
the  day  previous,  who  had  remained  behind  to  glut  the 
spirit  of  destruction  by  an  extra  act  of  conflagration 
and  ruin.  By  this  boat  we  received  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions, which,  you  may  well  suppose,  we  greatly 
needed,  having  fasted  for  the  last  thirty  hours. 

As  soon  as  the  Dragon  had  dischargr-d  her  ill-gotten 
cargo,  we  were  transferred  to  her.  She  lay  afthc 
point  made  by  the  confluence  of  the  Grand  Ottawa 
and  the  St.  Lawrence,  two  of  the  noblest  rivers  of 
British  America.  They  afford,  for  various  divisions 
of  this  vast  country,  great  natural  facilities  for  com- 
merce and  manufactures.  The  scene  was  a  grand 
one,  and  gave  rise  to  speculations  on  the  probable 
greatness  of  the  Canadas,  at  some  future  day,  when 
they  would  have  effectually  ''arisen  in  their  might," 
and  shaken  off  the  tyrant's  yoke,  and  paralysed  the 
hand  of  oppression.  I  never  did,  nor  do  I  now, 
doubt  the  ultimate  consummation  of  such  an  event. 

The  boat  soon  put  off,  and  left  far  behind  these 
prospects  predictive  of  ultimate  greatness,  and  Cana- 
da's elevation  soon  gave  place  to  pictures  of  a  vividly 
opposite  caste.  I  remained  on  deck  with  my  yoke 
lellow,  (for  the  day  was  tolerably  serene,)  to  witness 
the  noble,  the  beautiful  scenery,  on  the  banks  of  the 
grand  St.  Lawrence. 


'? 

if\ 

'■T' 

'E| 

i 

[ 

i 

Krr"' 


\  ■ 


t 


U'i' 


r^m'':.:K- 


m 


m 


•  .  ::|> 


n\ 


124 


LKTTKUS    TROM    ^.   D.   L. 


A  sliuddor,  ;i  feeling  akin  to  horror  siiot  through 
my  rramc,  n\i  my  eyes  were  firr-t  directed  to  the  yet 
snKjkiug  ruins  of  a  proscribed  Canadian's  homestead. 
J'iVery  buihiing  that  might  have  ailljrded  the  slightest 
sheltf;r  to  man  or  beast,  was  burnt  to  the  ground.  iiVe- 
rytrcc  cut  down,  and  every  [(article  of  Ibod  destroyed 
or  carried  away.  Wo  so(m  sw(  pt  past  this  mark  of  n 
tyrant's  dispk^asurc,  to  the  view  of  another  scene  stiil 
more  heart  rending;  it  appeared  to  have  been  the  resi- 
dence of  a  person  of  considerable  \\enlth,  for  numer- 
ous i)il!is  of  smoking  embers  were  observed,  which, 
■from  ap[)carances,  betokened  the  building  to  liave  been 
uf  no  slight  magnitude,  'riiough  all  had  nov/  vanish- 
ed but  the  ashes,  and  the  poor  forlorn  destitute  be- 
ings who  had  once  made  their  roofs  echo  with  the 
sounds  of  gladness,  perhaps  of  sacred  worship,  had 
just  ventured  from  tlieir  hiding  place,  and  were  appa- 
rently hunting  about  the  promises  if  perchance  the 
remorseless  incendiaries  had  left  undcstrovcd  one  mor- 
sei  whereby  a  raging  hunger  might  bo  appeased. 
There  stood  a  mother  and  live  children,  vainly  weep- 
ing over  the  ruins  'of  their  homo,  as  if  their  tears 
could  restore  what  thev  had  lost;  no  doubt  a  husband, 
{)aront,  brother,  or  friend  were  weltering  in  their  own 
l)lood,  or  if  living,  groaning  in  irons,  reserved  in  dun- 
geons, as  victims  for  the  insatiable  gallows,  or  exiled 
from  their  families,  whose  sufferings  they  could  not 
know  the  extent  of,  and  distracted  in  the  knowledge 
that  Sir  John  Colborne  was  '":''enllcss  in  his  furious 
revenge. 


I-KTTKllS    FllO.M    V.    I).    L. 


1-25 


Oh,  how  many  of  thcso  bravo,  honest  and  virtuous 
('anadians  have  sufFored  in  themselves  and  families, 
(ill  the  refined  cruelty,  insult,  indignity  and  aggression 
that  the  mind  of  an  Aylmar,  a  Gosford  with  his  col- 
Icagiio:'-,  and  a  Colhorno,  with  his  m  :rcilcss  horde  of 
fivohootin.s;  r;ivishers,  could  invent.  Am'forwliat? 
Iljcmi.^v.'  they  enti,M'ta;ncd  laudable  d.-sii-.s  of  (.-xr-rci- 
siiig  ihoir  restricted  ))rerGgativ(Js  in  ciii'bing,  as  far  as 
\v;r-.  in  their  power,  the  avarice  and  licentiousness 
■jfth:'  arbitrarv  f^overnors.  because  they,  in  youth's 
t,>r)L':ht  visions,  boh.dil  wlwit  v.as  duo  to  lunnanity,  and 
loug^'d  to  eiijoy  tiie  fruits  of  tlicir  own  iuilustrv,  in 
[r.'acc  and  in  liberty.  l>.:eauso  tli^'v  have  looked  across 
iho  narrow  waters,  and  envied  the  hajjpy  frceflom  of 
liicir  neighbors,  where  each  could  eat  his  own  bread, 
1)  Micath  his  own  roof,  amid  his  happy  family,  in  joy 
and  contvnt.  Where  ho  could  look  about  him  and  say, 
'  iliose  are  mine,  and  none  can  disj)osscss  me;  1  can 
enjoy  my  own,  undisturbed  by  interJtinc  commotion, 
murderous  factions,  or  an  avaricious  dospot^'s  glance." 

Amid  these  sad  meditations,  as  if  to  heighten  the 
melancholy,  a  cry  of  'dook  yonder!'"  directed  my  at- 
t  mtion  to  the  on[)osite  shore,  (eight  or  V'n  miles  dis- 
;ant,)  wiiere  the  work  of  destruction  was  beginning 
an(,'W.  The  (lames  were  just  bursting  from  several 
houses  and  barns,  hitherto  unscathed.  At  that  mo- 
niant,  the  steward  of  the  boat  came  up  to  where  w,-; 
were,  and  I  enquired  of  him  why  such  devastation 
was  still  continuing  when  the  insurrection  was  suppo- 
sed to  be  wholly  quelled.  He  replied  that  a  "compa- 
ny of  the  blood-hounds  of  Colborne  were  going  the 


!  Ik'^ 


.1.    )! 


-' 

3 

,1  ••  ■ 

•  i     1 


I    i 


■     :l 


■M:i 


It, 


1 1 


I 


12G 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


rounds  with  his  orders,  to  visit  every  hamlet  and  farm- 
stead, and  whenever  the  male  proprietor  could  not  Ix? 
found,  to  burn  and  destroy  his  possessions  without  re- 
morse.'' Horrid  barbarity!  cruel  order!  by  which 
thousands  of  hapless  victims  were  rendered  roofless 
and  foodless  in  the  commencement  of  a  North  Amer- 
ican winter. 

We  touched  at  IJeauharnois,  a  small  village,  for- 
merly containing  several  hundred  houses,  but  now  on- 
ly filled  with  smouldering  ruins,  exhibiting  the  traces 
of  the  demon  of  destruction.  Here,  but  the  day  be- 
fore, under  the  eye  of  Colborne,  every  excess  had 
been  perpetrated;  houses  reduced  to  ashes;  property 
of  every  description,  and  furniture,  were  broken  up 
and  strewed  the  streets.  Women  of  every  grade,  age, 
or  condition,  insulted,  violated,  murdered.  Col.  Mc 
Donald,  of  the  Glcngary  militia,  and  sherilFof  Kings- 
ton, writes  as  follows  regarding  the  destruction  of 
this  village:  *'We  proceeded  towards  Beauharnois 
by  a  forced  march,  burning  and  laying  waste  the  coun- 
try as  we  went  along,  and  it  was  a  most  distressing 
and  heart-rending  scene,  to  see  this  fine  settlement 
completely  destroyed,  and  the  houses  burned  and  laid 
in  ashes;  and  1  understand  the  whole  country  around 
St.  Charles  experienced  the  same.  The  wailing  of 
the  women  and  children,  in  beholding  their  houses  in 
flames  and  property  destroyed,  their  husbands,  broth- 
ers, fathers  and  sons  dragged  along  prisoners,  and 
such  of  them  as  did  not  appear  were  supposed  to  be  at 
the  rebel  camp."  In  the  destruction  of  this  and  other 
places,   the  orange  faction  were  the  most  prominent 


VI'  P; 


'■rV\ 
■  lij;' ; 

I- 


I'l 


l.ETTKRS    IROM   V.   I).    I. 


1'27 


actors.  And  from  this  same  co^ipact  of  stale  and  or- 
angoism  have  sprung  two  tliirds  j[  the  woes  tliat  the 
distracted  Canadas  have  endured.  All  other  scenes  of 
modern  warfare,  even  among  the  barbarous  nations  of 
tlie  east  and  south,  were  faint  pictures  of  cruelty  when 
compared  to  the  atrocities  in  Lower  Canada,  in  18ns. 
The  heroes  of  St.  Dennis,  St.  Charles,  St.  Eustaclie, 
Beauharnois,  and  many  other  places,  can  boast  of 
'dicroic  deeds"  unparalleled  in  the  annals  of  modern 
history,  for  their  warfare  was  carried  on  principally 
against  defenceless  women  and  children.  They  will 
walk  forth  in  this  world  with  the  mark  of  villains  and 
murderers  on  their  foreheads,  and  go  down  to  the  grave 
unhonored  and  unwept!  while  their  conduct  brands  the 
government  they  serve  with  ignominy  and  deserved 
contumely. 

The  ofTiccrs  of  our  boat  entered  pretty  deeply  into 
the  chance  of  speculation,  offered  by  the  scattered  pro- 
perty of  the  murdered  and  exiled  families  of  this  ill- 
iated  town.  The  deck  was  piled  with  goods  and  house- 
hold furniture,  of  rare  and  rich  qualities,  and  several 
horses,  that  had  been  brought  to  the  wharf  and  sold 
there  for  one  dollar  per  head,  were  carried,  on  board, 
to  Lachine. 

I  saw  a  few  of  the  French,  who  had  been  left,  for 
some  cause  or  another.  They  appeared  extremely 
dejected,  and  forlorn.  Oh!  what  bitter  pangs  I  expe- 
rienced at  the  sight;  and  glad  was  I  to  have  the  order 
given  for  departure.  I  prevailed  on  Parker  to  go  be- 
low, (for  the  bow  cabin,  or  '*steerage,"  was  allotted  to 
us,)  where  I  endeavored  to  shut  out  the  thought  of 


J 


m 


^IV 


■vi^*^ .-,  4: 


1    .r  r 

i 

K 

r->-> 


I.ETTKIIS    I'llOM    v.   1).    L. 


* 


^ 


■f     :.Jl 


,1,      .  V. 


t, 


'-'fiy 


i:^ 


'  ■'"» ; 


what  I  had  witnessed  within  the  last  two  hours,  and 
drown  my  sachicss  in  the  oblivion  of  r-^Iecp.  lUit  in 
this,  *'I  liad  reckoned  without  my  ho/j*"  for  the  at- 
mosphere was  humid  and  cold — such  as  was  calculated 
t^j  totally  ro|);d  sleep  or  rest.  At  first,  I  was  at  a  loss 
ro  account  for  it,  and  the  fetid  smell  of  the  cabin;  Ijut 
was  soon  informed,  lliat  this  v\  a.s  the  boat  that  iiarl 
ijO(m  takeu,  a  few  (!a,ys  previous,  at  Jkauiharnois,  by 
the  Fn.'Ucli  Patriots,  wiien  it  was  scuttled  and  sunk; 
and  but  two  days  since,  raised  and  repaired. 

Tiie  oppressiveness  of  the  air  soon  drove  us  lo  the 
<I(!ek  again,  when  I,  to  n^y  no  ^••inall  gratification,  dis- 
covertd  that  we  had  passed  the  ^'jiroscribed  (iistricts/' 
i  was  highly  delighted  with  the  line  scenery  on  the 
banks  of  this  wonderful  thoroughfare.  It  was  not  such 
as  would  stiike  the  romantic  beholder  with  awe,  or 
with  wonder;  Init  its  apparent  unobtrusiveness,  with 
occasional  glimpses  ei' distant  mountains,  and  adjacent 
forests,  were  well  calculated  to  excite,  in  tlie  mind,  ii 
pleasing  sensation  of  delight — a  sort  of  buoyant  glad- 
ness, stimulated  by  the  appearance  of  the  landscape, 
and  the  neatness  of  the  small  French  cottages,  con- 
trasted with  the  magnificent  river,  on  whose  pcllucici 
bosom  our  boat  floated  like  a  thing  animate.  These 
fine,  comfortable  looking  fields  and  farms,  hardly  as- 
sorted with  the  ruined  estates  we  had  just  passed.  The 
ilemon  of  destruction  had  not  visited  here. 

As  near  as  could  be  judged,  in  such  a  bleak  season, 
'he  fields,  and  whole  country,  was  in  an  unique  state 
of  culture,  and  the  appearance  would  have  been  con- 
genial to  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  a  grand  uniformi- 


!i;    :  .•:!i 


'VI 


LLTTFRS    FROM    V.    I».   I,. 


It» 


i^ 


(y  of  natural  and  arlificlal  sconcry  united.  1  Hr  ^  nitmt 
ngain  bid  you  adiuu,  and  defer,  for  niy  next,  a  contin- 
uation of  our  passage  toward  Ciuebcc. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Your.s,  vSoc.  ti:c. 


LirrTiiii  vn. 


AsHOROVK,  near  Oatlands,  V.  J).  L. 
(^cj) f ember,  HIO. 

My  Dear  Sir:  Our  noxt  landing  was  at  Lachinc,  a 
small  village,   nine    miles    from    Mojitreal;    between 
wliieh  places  the  navigation  of  the  river  is  impeded, 
by  a  succession  of  small  falls  or  rapids;  around  which 
there  is  a  canal  cut,  only  navigated  by  small  batteaux, 
drawn  by  horses.  AV'e  disenibarked  about  sunset,  amid 
a  large  concourse  of  people,  who  supposed  us  to  be  of 
the  prisoners  taken  at  Ijeauharnois,  and  consequently 
loaded  us  with  insult  and  scoils.      We  paid  but  little 
attention  to  these  noisy  burlesque^;  of  the  human  race; 
and    I    felt,  as  1   remarked  to  the  civil  oilicers  who 
walked  by  us,  that  such  i^ral illations  were  the  most 
honorable  wc  could  receive  from  men  who  were  evi- 
dently a  partof  thesackersof  Bt  auharnois',  and  the  mur- 
lierers  of  men,  women,  and  children.   With  the  setting 
of  the  sun,  the  clouds  arose,  and  a  terrible  storm  of 
rain  and  wind  commenced,  that  continued  to  rage  for 
some  hours,  then  settled  down  into  a  cold  snow  storm. 

The  batteau  into  which  wc  got  was  open,  and  towed 
9 


'k 


if 


m 


'^1 

M 

!>' 

H^ 

'tVIi 

'Mi 

wKti 

'  Hi 

'HhmB 

}*» 

'-«■ 

|H 

91 

f''" 


ll  .' 


A 


■     I 


:i 


1' 


■4.. 


'iii: 


^i^ 


^^y^ 


'        ' '       '1!  I 


i:30 


.^ 


LinrKRs  ruoM  v.  d.  i,. 


by  oncj  horso,  and  nuuiiigcd  by  two  Frcncbmcn  and  a 
boy.  'I'bc  niL'n  were  driven  about  liko  dogs;  and  dare 
not  nun'niur,  for  llion-  was  no  redress,  yevcral  clnin- 
gy,  inefliciont  looking  lock.i  intcrv«.'n(;  on  this  short 
oaiial;  at  cacii  of  wiiioh,  st(>j)j)ngi?s  and  dulays  were 
inevitable.  At  idtout  niii  .•  I'.  .M.  we  arrived  at  Mont- 
real, and  run  into  one  (jfthf-  basins,  where  we  lay  ex- 
posed to  the  snow  and  cold  lor  sowc  hour.s,  awaiting 
tlio  reappearance  of  one  of  the  eivil  ollicers,  who  had 
i^onc  on  from  Laehine,  to  procure  Kjdging  for  us.  liut 
ho  did  not  make  his  appearanco,  having  found  some 
friend,  wlio.se  eiip  j)roved  too  pot(Mit  for  his  weak  head 
to  admit  of  his  moving  abroad  liiat  night,  mueh  to 
our  diseomfor?.    Ai'ter  wailinir  for  bome  hours,  the  re- 


de It 


ermmea  on  movmir  aroun 


d  t 


o 


maining  civil  oflie^r 
the  garrison,  and  landing  on  the  b:.'aeh;  Vvliieh  was 
not  cilected  without  much  difl'iculty  and  danger.  lie 
then  bfl  us  standing  there,  in  the  storm,  and  went 
away  to  Cm(]  a  lodging.  lie  did  not  return  for  more 
than  an  hour,  when  he  took  us  into  a  small  guard  room, 
in  the  middle  of  the  city,  leaving  tiic  baggage  upon 
the  shore,  subject  to  the  storm,  and  to  pluiid(;r;  the 
latter  of  which  was  only  prevented  by  the  darkness. 
Wlun  wo  were;  introduced  to  our  room,  the  great  town 
clock  was  striking  twelve;  and  in  about  two  hours, 
our  baggage  followed.  The  space  allollcd  to  us,  was 
what  had  formerly  been  the  inner  room  of  a  lawyer's 
oflico,  eight  by  sixteen  feet,  with  a  "military  deal  bed,' 
calculated  for  eight  persons  to  sleep  on.  In  this  small 
hole,  it  was  imj)ossiblo  to  sit  down,  as  it  was  scarce 
practi:;abio  to  stand.     We  were  all   horror-stricken  at 


* 

■  ] 

< 

.J 
1 

I         III  h 


LLilKll  i    l-'KOM    V.   I).    I.. 


VM 


the  prosjpcct  of  spending  tho  niglit  in  sueli  an  nnlinp- 
py  sitiitition — oomo  sunk  to  tho  lloor,  wearicjil  nntlcr  a 
load  of  iVo/Gn  clothes,  and  ('i\y>\  1  have  ofl'ii  won- 
dui'cd  how  it  could  possibly  happMi,  that  wo  did  not  ail 
ih'j»'iir  at  onco,  and  settle  ('own  in  a  lalal  despondency; 
but  even  in  th'it  5;ii'i"n"iting  situation,  Iho  j"st  went 
round,  and  tho  afH-'cteu  laugh  sounded  with  a  vain  eilort 
"t)  drivo  dull  cai'o  aw.iy.''  I  thougiit  ol*  Virgil-.s  pic- 
ture of  a  c.Jl  in  tlu'  infernal  rernon,  and  lautiriied  at  tho 
idea  fancy  liad  coiijured  up,  w  hile  I  lonpjcd  for  a  light 


to  reali/c  it.     A  li  j'lt  at  last  ca 


nv. 


an( 


1  si 


lowcu-nnaffi" 


nations  s 


etc  I 


1  U)  evarrireration 


3n 


7'ho  light  was  in  th';  hand  of  the  Town  Major,  who 
was  forcibly  struel;  with  the  r^cen^;  for  an  oxchunation 
of  extreme  surprise  broke  froui  him  the  moment  the 
door  opened,  and  he  beheld  twenty-three  men,  chained 
and    hand    culPed,  pent  up  in  a  room  whero   twedve 


would  find  it  dini'ult  to 


lown, 


CJ 


omo  were  Ivin^ 


PtrcJched  upon  the  cold  /loor,  sinking  through  j-hner 
exhaustion,  and  the  closeness  of  the  place  wo  were  in. 
Othc)'.-i  were  standing  ov(!r  tli  r.i,  leaning  against  the 
wall,  happy  in  such  support.  Some  were  loudly  call- 
ing for  water,  which  eoull  not  be  sup[)lied,  as  iho 
guard  had  but  little  in,  and  could  n-t  leave  tho  station 
to  go  for  more. 

Tho  sight  of  the  Town  Major's  S}'mpathising  face, 
and  the  civilities  oiTered  by  the  few  gentlemen  who 
accompanied,  relieved  us  of  much  of  the  despondency 
that  was  clouding  our  hearts.  He  left  us  with  an  as- 
surance, that  water  should  be  immediately  supplied, 
and  other  lodgings  provided,  for  at  least  a  part  of  tho 


''H 


I  \ 


1  i 

';  V  -•' 

'If 

f    ■ 

'1 

i  ■ 

'M^  ■ 

A. 

w ' 

■■f 


'  I 


ii 


f:      -I. 


"'}'i 


s 


■  ■     'iS 

1 

.i  'i 

i 

1' 


I'll 


I'i; 


132 


LKXTKllr^*    I'llOM    V.    I>.    L. 


number.  A  pail  of  water  came,  and  was  handed  in; 
but,  alas,  no  cup!  no,  not  a  tin  canteen  could  be  found 
to  drink  out  of.  1  will  leave  you  to  imagine  what 
course  wc  pursued  in  regard  to  what  every  man  among 
us  was  almost  dying  for,  and  which  was  actually  lar- 
ger than  we  could  llnd  space  for.  Tlic  pail,  never- 
theless, was  soon  emptii>d,  and  aiibrded  a  seat  or  foot- 
stool for  some  »nc.  After  remaining  in  thii  crowded 
and  fainting  slate  for  two  hours  or  more,  we  were  par- 
tially relieved,  by  the  removal  of  eight  to  other  (quar- 
ters. Nothing  was  supplied  for  food,  and  all  we  could 
raise,  was  a  small  quantity  of  broad  and  meat,  1  had 
providently  saved  from  our  meal,  on  the  steamboat. 
Wo  partook  of  that  morsel  with  a  devotional  gratitude 
to  God,  who  giveth  all  thiiigs;  then  commending  our- 
selves to  His  care,  sought  sleep  upon  the  bare  floor. 

For  my  part,  I  iVIl  at  once  into  a  deep  slumber, 
and  dreamed  of  homo'.o  ha[)py  fircsido;  heard  the  guile- 
less laugh,  and  felt  the  })layful,  stolen  kiss  of  alL'Ction. 
Often,  since  my  feet  have  been  debarred  "tracing  the 
woods,  the  lawns,  the  flowery  meads;'''  and  my  eyes 
from  viewing  aught  but  misery,  and  wo,  and  wreicli- 
edness;  and  my  heart  from  feeling  any  thing  but  a 
loneliness,  hopelessness,  anguish,  and  deep  insult,  1 
have  felt  happy,  aye,  vividly  happy,  in  a  review  of 
the  bright  and  joyous  visions  of  midnight.  Yes!  though 
my  head  lay  upon  the  hard  floor,  and  all  my  bones 
were  aching  with  the  pains  of  v/earied  out  nature,  and 
all  comfort  forbidden,  yet  a  kind,  overruling  Provi- 
dence has  so  ordered  it,  that  no  despot,  however  pow- 
erful, can  chain  the  independent  mind.     In  the  forgct- 


' 


mI  in; 
ound 
wliat 


LETTERS?    FROM    V.    U.    L. 


133 


fulijrss  of  sleep-  it  will  jcveit  to  llio  joyous  scenes  of 
formcu"  (lays,  that  leave  upon  its  tal>lets,  blissful  sensa- 
tiun.3  to  cngMgo  llic  waking  1ioliiv=.  and  draw  it  forcibly 
fri:)ni  corroding  thouglils. 

I  must  not  omit  (o  mention  a  circumstance  that  oc- 
cuircd  here,  though  trifling,  as  it  had  a  great  weight 
in  bringing  about  a  subsequent  occurrence,  that  opera- 
ted much  to  my  discomfort.  During  the  night,  before 
nnv  had  been  removed,  Vernon  and  (Jemmel,  who 
were  coupled  togolher,  delormined  on  procuring  more 
case  and  liljerte,  broL,)  the  lock  that  jastencd  their 
cuils,  and  k'gan  to  saw  the  chain,  when  they  were  in- 
terrupted by  the  Town  Major's  entrance.  They  were, 
after  going  on  board  the  steamer  for  Quebec,  punished 
for  it,  by  being  forced  to  v.-ear  another  pnir,  for  some 
liours,  after  the  remainder  had  been  relieved. 

The  next  morninr?  brou£rht  the  civil  officers,  wliose 
flinty  nature.-:,  all  our  sutFerings  from  wet  clothing,  and 
swollen  arms,  could  not  move  to  a  single  act  of  pity. 
We  vainly  entreated  a  r'^moval  of  the  "wrist  bands,*' 
only  long  enough  to  admit  of  our  throv.ing  olfour  up- 
per garments.  They  departed  without  oven  adminis- 
tering one  comfortable  w'ord,  or  one  morsel  of  bread 
to  the  calls  of  hunger.'  At  noon,  came  a  few  of  the 
officers  of  the  twenty-fourth  regiment,  who,  after  re- 
marking that  we  were  "fine  looking  fellows,  and  would 
well  befit  the  British  uniform,"'  enquired  whether  we 
had  any  "complaints  to  make."  We  exhibited  our 
wrists,  but  with  that  tlicy  could  not  interfere:  we  then 
told  ot  our  long  fast  and  thirst,  which  could  not  be 
remedied,  unless  they  thought  proper  to  order  other- 


W^V'J 


s:"'  'j; 


■* 


>-H>l 


'       ^-^l^ili 


* 


f  ^ 


I 


iipi 
,1 


til 


' 

:•! 

4 

"'      1 

A 

:    'M- 

■•'■:;• 

''i 

■  i^i 

■  ''ii 

•     <•;' 

> 

^  '^i.;.'.i! 

■      ,. '  , 

:   "  ■  'i'll 

.,;'      » 


■4!i' 


<'<\:       .■■i\, 


m 


h'    ''i  'I; 


:! 


M 


VI' 


;§ 

i!lf 


.J 


134 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


wise.  Thoy  replied,  that  Governor  Colboriie  was 
there,  and  wo  would,  most  probablvs  be  delivered 
up  to  his  charge;  conrjcqucntly,  until  the  delivery  was 
made,  and  arrangmcnts  completed,  wo  must  remain  in 
"statu  quo.''"  However,  they  promised  a  meal  from 
their  own  mess,  in  the  absence  of  other  provisions;  yet 
it  was  three  P.  M.  boforc  it  came.  Wlnle  we  were 
devouring  it,  the  order  f«jr  our  removal-,  forthwith,  to 
the  steamboat,  arrived;  and  vve  were  directed  to  pock- 
et our  uneaten  provisions.  The  men  who  had  been 
separated  from  us  for  the  night,  rejoined  us.  I'hey  had 
been  taken  to  the  garrison,  where  the  soldiers  shared 
their  messes  and  beds  witii  ihcm. 

A  numerous  guard  received  us  at  the  door,  where  a 
vast  concourse  war^  rapidly  collecting,  to  ''look  at  the 
Upper  Canadians."  Followed  by  them,  wo  were 
marched  down  Notre  Dame  street  to  the  wharf,  and 
embarked  on  board  the  "British  North  America,'' 
bound  for  Quebec. 

A  variety  of  feeling  seemed  to  r.ctuate  the  multitude; 
for  some  expressed  a  sympathy,  while  others  mocked; 
some  pitied,  while  others  derided;  and  many  implored 
us  to  maintain  a  "good  courage,  as  it  was  a  glorious 
cause  vve  were  suffering  in." 

We  were  placed  in  the  bow  cabin,  where  was 
burning,  in  a  large  stove.,  a  roaring  fire.  This  was 
exhilarating  to  us,  who  had  long  been  without  so-great 
a  luxury.  Through  the  kind  influence  of  some  gentle- 
men passengers,  and  the  Captain,  we  were  released 
from  the  torturing  manscles,  and  enjoyed  a  Respite 
from  pain;  an  alleviation  that  weary  nature  profited 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


135 


was 

ivcrcd 
V  wns 
ain  in 

;  yet 
were 


?> 


tucle; 


by.  At  ail  early  Iiniir  wc  turned  into  our  bcdlcss 
berths;  and  for  the  first  lime,  since  leaving  Fort  Hen- 
ry, passed  a  iiiglit  of  uninterrupted  repose.  Wc  awoke 
in  tlie  morning,  greatly  refreshed  and  invigorated, 
thougli  v/itli  a  strong  appetite  for  a  sound  meal,  that 
did  not  remain  long  una})peased. 

Immediately  after  partaking  our  breakfast  wc  hur- 
ried to  the  deck,  and  x)ailcd  tlio  I)riglitsun  with  uncom- 
mon cheerfulness. 

The  ride  dov/n  this  part  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  was  s. 
glorious  and  a  pleasant  one,  and  I  enjoyed  the  j)ros- 
pects  with  unsurpassed  delight.  About  noon  the  heights 
bounding  the  plains  of  Abraham  were  visible,  up  whoso 
rocky  shelves  the  bold  and  adventurous  W^olf  wended 
his  way  to  glory  and  to  death;  and  where  the  valorous 
and  gallant  xMontcalm,  poured  out  the  red  streams  of 
life,  in  defence  of  the  chivalry  of  France. 

Every  word  I  had  read  of  this  celebrated  spot,  ani- 
matingly  recurred  to  iny  memory;  and  my  bosom 
burned  to  view,  more  clo-icl}',  the  landscape  of  those 
plains,  richer  in  soul-stirring  incident  to  me,  than 
would  be  the  classic  «rrounds  of  Italv.  1  could  have 
^azcd,  for  hours,  with  veneration,  upon  the  monument 
that  bears,  jointly,  the  names  of  those  two  heroes;  and 
which  not  only  perpetuates  their  memory,  but  also  im- 
pressions of  the  formiCr  power,  clnvalry,  and  contests  of 
two  great  nations.  Tiie  magnanimity,  on  the  part  of 
one,  however,  I  felt,  by  a  glance  at  my  chains,  was 
dwindled  down  to  a  low,  revengeful  desT)otism;  and  as 
a  counterpoise  to  this  ^asting  monument  of  discolored 


t 


i  ':h 


r^  > 


^\ 


•  i 


'I 

•1 


■'iiii 


riili 


i 

> 

i 

1    ' 

■»■';!;!! 


.  '1,1 


i!:..it 


m 


13f. 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  1>.   L. 


fame,  ])illur.^  tluit  would  hereafter  Lc  o reeled  to  the 
memory  of  the  self-devoted  Lonnt,  Mathews,  Morrow, 
and  many  others,  would  stand  as  still  more  enduring 
monuments  of  her  shame. 

The  ice  had  delayed  us  so  much,  that,  instead  of  ar- 
riving at  the  usual  hour  of  six  in  the  morning,  it  was 
one  P.  M.  when  wc  approached  the  wharf.  Our  pre- 
sence attracted  a  vast  multitude,  who  l)etrnyed  the 
same  varied  feelings  wc  had  seen  exhibited  at  Toronto 
and  Montreal.  But  here  let  me  say,  to  the  honor  of 
the  habitans,  that  I  did  not  witness  a  single  gibe  or 
insult  proceed  from  ajiy  v.carlng  the  garb  of  the 
French;  hut,  on  the  contrary,  I.  observed,  in  all  th.eir 
countenances,  that  mute,  expressive  syinpathy,  which 
always  cheers  the  wounded  hearts  of  men  wearing  tho 
chains  of  unjust  oppression.  I  even  heard  them  stoutly 
upbraid  those  who  had  raised  their  voices  in  unmerited 
derision;  and  I  doubly  esteemed  them  for  their  devo- 
tional Patriotism  and  syml)ath^ . 

No  disposition  to  get  up  more  than  a  hiss  was  ap- 
parent until  we  had  just  emerged  within  the  gate,  when 
a  ragged,  contemptible  wretch,  with  an  Irish  accent 
and  an  orange  badge,  came  up  to  Parker  and  myself, 
who  were  walking  in  the  rear,  and  swore  wc  "were 
just  tho  men  to  take  the  place  of  his  rcnagade  coun- 
tryman, Theller,  and  the  d d  Yankee  sympathizer, 

Dodge,"  who,  it  appears,  had  made  a  remarkable  es- 
cape from  the  *'impregnable  citadel."  The  name  was 
caught  up  by  a  hundred  voices,  and  echoed,  with  va- 
rious epithets  of  contempt  and  applause.     One  indi- 


ffr 


i,  •* ' 


■'Miii 


li;tti:hs  from  v.  d.  l. 


137 


vidual  nccir  mr^,  v/i.-?!i  ,'d  in  his  licart  wo  "ni'glit  in;iko 
fi,s  good  an  exit  fion  t!i3  wall:?  oi'  C>a?!y:e.  ;r^  t!i:iy  did, 
God  blos.s  ilicm  V 

Tho  streets  wore  narrow,  and  co  throng';d  with  peo 
pic  curious  to  sec  us,  that  it  was  a  di'.ricult  master  for 
tlio  regulars  to  force  a  p.n-ir.age  llirouglr,  while  it  was 
with  the  utnio'jt  toil  and  pain  tint  wc  dragged  our  chain- 
ed limbs  up  the  iey  street;;,  that  entT  tho  city  with 
considerable  acclivity.  I  look'  . I  at  th.)  rrowning  low- 
ers and  the  well  mounted  bntteric:3  ar;  we  j)a:-sed,  and 
admired  tho  3tre  igth  as  well  as  tlio  care  manifested  to 
guard  this  ancient  city  i'rom  tliO  attacks  of  its  (jnemios. 
I  had  but  little  chance  for  (Mrxrvatif  n,  but  wiiat  1  did 
see  of  the  l)uildings,  gave;  mo  no  favcrable  impression 
of  its  wealth  or  cleanliness;  aiid  from  the  coenpres^sed 
state  in  v.'hich  the  houses  stand,  and^lic  narrowness  of 
the  streets,  ono  \vould  suppose  the  ciL}^  lacked  room 
for  its  inhabitants. 

At  length,  after  a  weary  march  rif  an  hour,  wo 
''fetched  up''  at  llie  de.or  of  the  old  City  J;iil,  whero 
Mr.  Jeffries,  the  keeper,  mot  and  led  us  to  a  largo 
room  in  the  north  wing,  with  a  row  of  dismal  looking 
cells  on  either  side.  I  had  supposed  that  Cape  Dia- 
mond was  the  place  destined  for  our  reception,  but 
was  soon  undeceived  by  the  muster  and  deli,  ^y  of 
our  nolle  selves  to  the  SherilT  of  Quebec,  who  pro- 
ceeded, instanter,  to  divest  our  wrists  of  the  cuOs, 
which  had  been  put  on  again  on  landing,  after  a  res- 
pite down  from  Montreal. 

A  cup  of  tea  and  a  piece  of  coarse  bread  was  offer- 
ed us  for  supper.     Several  gentlemen  came  in  during 


.f  > 


i>'»^U>i 


v  '' 


13S 


LETl'LRS    FIIO.'.I    V.   D.   L. 


1 1,        ,11' 


■H-i: 


llio  cvcniii'^  to  .SCO  and  converse  willi  u.-: — ntirticiilarlv 
a  coi'.pio  of  editor^;,  turi:,:;  of  course,  us  all  iudopcnd- 
antniid  lil)M':il  pn[)C'i';-;  li:.',]  uocii  .siipprcvjrid,  whilo  ''their 
editors  well'  locked  up."'  D'jforo  retiring,  or  ratlicr, 
at  eight,  the  jailoi-  caiii!;  in,  accornpanicd  by  two  turn- 
keys, one  l)jaring  two  oi*  three  large  bunclie.^  of  keys, 
and  the  other  a  large  h'ammer.  'i  no  hammer  was  to 
us  a  welcome  sight,  for  we  supposed  it  was  for  the 
purpose  of  knocking  olF  our  chains;  but  in  this  wo 
were  nii:staken,  as  the  bearer  forthwith  proceeded  to 
sound  every  iron  bar  constituting  the  guard  to  the  win- 
dows, a  precautionary  step  counselled  by  the  then  late 
fortunate  escape  th rough*  the  grat:d  windows  of  the 
citadel.  Armed  guards  u'ero  doubled  about  the  prison, 
and  one  wal'ced  continually  under  each  cell  window, 
occasionally  raifMiig  iiimr'elf  up  and  peering  in,  lest 
we  nn'ght  be  engiiged  in  somethirig  icroug.  Our  bed- 
ding here  became  very  usei\d,  as  that  supplied  v/as  too 
scanty  for  the  cold  weather. 

The  next  morning,  a  largo  pot  of  oatmeal  gruel, 
with  a  quart  of  molus;sos,  and  a  half  pound  of  bread, 
was  brousfht  for  our  breakfast.     The  frruel  but  few  of 

o  o 

our  number  could  partake  of,  having  never  before  seen 
such  "stulT"  substituted  for  provision.  It  was  soon 
changed  for  something  more  palatable  at  the  instance 
of  some  unknown  friends,  who  generously  offered  to 
foot  the  dillerence.  The  sherilT  kindly  acceded  to 
our  repeated  desire,  and  freed  us  from  the  iron  incum- 
brances which  we  had  worn  without  intermission  for 
ten  days.  At  the  same  time,  he  intimated,  as  a  'proh- 
able  event,  a  removal  to  England,  provided  a  passago 


LL'i'TI'US    rnOM    V.    I).    L. 


mo 


iciilarjy 

I'Jopcnd- 

0  "their 

rntlicr, 
vo  turn- 
:>i'  keys, 

was  to 

(or  tho 

this  wo 

3cdccl  to 

ho  win- 

icn  late 

of  tlio 
prison, 
t'indow, 
in,  lost 
'Lir  bcd- 
was  too 

gruel, 
broad, 
few  of 
re  seen 
IS  soon 
istancc 
bred  to 
ded  to 
incLim- 
ion  for 
I  prob- 
assago 


coidd  bo  obtained  for  ii,s;  yet  th  it,  on  :ic.''.-uniit  oC  iho 
lateness  of  the  season,  was  very  dnubtuil.  I  wrote  by 
return  of  the  Kingston  Depiily,  to  Mis.  Wi^it,  inform- 
ing her  t!i:it  I  hiul  no  du'abt  sh.;  would  noil  hcnv  from 
iii'j  in  I'ingland.     I'Jacli  person  picp-ir-.M.l  Ir.i  ]•  tl;rs  of 


larewell,  and  tlun  eoinmciiecd  a  g  n'^ral  ai^lulion  oi 
p(3rson  and  eiothlng,  preparatory  to  furtlicr  measures; 
knowing  that  if  we  were  sent  on,  it  would  be  prema- 
turely. 

While  Incareoralcd  in  Qucbce,  the  nine  persons  v. ho 
had  availed  themselves  of  llie  privilege  grantrd  by  an 
*'ex  post  facto"'  law,  and  petitioned  for  transportation 
instead  of  standing  the  ^'f.-arful  trial,''  snived  upon  the 
sherilf  a  j)rotest  against  the  sentence  being  carried  in- 
to lull  eliect,  and  employed  an  attorney  io  tittend  to 
llio  all'air  for  them.  It  proved  of  no  avail.  Tiiese  of 
uo  wiio  had  undergone  a  trial  in  Niagara,  dr^emed  it 
more  p(ditie  to  rest  our  cases  lor  the  present,  and  im- 
mediately on  arrival  in  I-higland,  thi'ov/  ourselves  up- 
on the  ju=:tice  and  good  feeling  of  that  government, 
rather  than  make  the  slightest  ajjpeal  to  the  equity  of 
a  man  whose  fraudulent  and  dishonest  measures  had 
conduced  mucii  to  produce  the  rebellion  in  Upper  Can- 
ada, and  whose  arbitrary  proceedings  during  a  three 
months  administration  had  filled  Lowf;r  Canada  with 
blood  and  murder,  with  conflagration  and  ruin. 

For  my  own  part,  I  had  not  the  slightest  idea  of 
going  farther  than  England,  and  would  prefer  crossing 
thither  to  remaining  subject  to  the  Provincial  authori- 
ties for  the  winter,  therefore  hailed  the  news  with  ea- 
ger delight,  when,  on  the  20lh  Nov.,  the  sherifl'  (Mr. 


1 


'■'I 


':  I  ■  '-• 

■mi 

v<  M 

'f  ' 


f 


t 


110 


F,r,rii.US    FROM     V.    I).    I,. 


; 

i'^  ■! 

(      ! 


1    I 
i    > 


■y  i'W 


^.e\v.;Il)  inforiiiod  us  that  our  passngo  \va.,  engaged, 
nil'!  Ih:-  only  hoc  :-'s:iry  delay  wa;,  to  give  timo  for  fit- 
ting u[i  ;i  "c:i!)in''  to  i;tov/  us  away  in.  I  wrote  again 
to  Tl.  C,  without  til"  l'..ast  unoasincGs,  confideiit  of  iv- 
lurjiiiig  I'lve  within  a  yav  al  lea;it,  particularly  if  I 
wars  held  tlierp  until  .Mrs.  Wait  should  arrive,  whom  I 
felt  assured  of  incoling  there  in  thr;  spring.  But  the 
sequel  will  show  how  sadly  inisphiccd  was  my  confi- 
dence in  their  ju.-;ticc  and  clemency. 

Providentially,  we  had  a  little  money  rrmaining, 
with  whiidi  wo  laid  in  what  nccssary  sea  stores 
wao  deemed  mor-t  indispensable.  The  prisoners  could 
not  all  come.innd  moans  to  supply  wdiat  was  actually 
necessary,  aud  none  but  .^a*.  Parker,  had  more  than 
.suQieient  for  a  very  small  stock.  Our  removal  from 
Fort  Ilenrv  liavlnn;  been  so  sudden,  that  no  timo  was 
given  to  communicate'  our  necessities  to  our  friends, 
who  could  have  pro\  ided  what  vre  wanted.  I  remem- 
bered the  kind  S3anpathy  sliown  by  the  Lord  Bishop 
Hfountaino  to  Mrs.  ^Vait,  on  a  former  occasion,  and 
wrote  him  expressive  of  my  gratitude.  lie  wa's  ab- 
sent from  his  residence,  but  his  chaplain,  Rev.  George 
Mukie,  came  to  see  me,  and  brought  a  number  of  Tes- 
taments, Prayer  Books,  and  other  religious  volumes, 
which  he  begged  I  would  distribute  among  my  com- 
panions. I  gratefully  accepted  his  kindness,  and  have 
brought  many  of  them  with  me  to  this  country,  where 
publications  of  evervMvind  arc  very  scarce  and  dear; 
and  I  hope  they  will  be  serviceable  in  moralizing  tho 
wretched  inhabilants,  for  I  can  rssurc  you  there  is  in- 
deed  much   necessity   for   it.     Some  of  our  number 


im 


'i;!ii. 


.1:  \i^m 


V     « 


•  '^'Ji 


s-t.  • 


m 


LKTTLRH    FROM    V.    I).    I,. 


Ill 


were  also  dciititutL'  of  proper  clothing,  and  an  appeal 
was  therefore  nuK.l',  but  vainly,  to  lli.';  aiitliorili.'.s;  yet 
successfully  to  individual  synii)athy.  'J'lic  .suj»ply  was 
all  that  Nvas  actually  necessary  iu  Ail  !  1  them  iVoni  the 
eold,  but  no  regard  was  had  to  appcti ranee. 

On  the  22d,  the  sheriff  informed  ns  that  we  might 
prepare,  as  that  day  we  should  embark.  lie  hoped 
we  would  find  our  passage  an  agreeable  one,  but  was 
f'artul  we  would  sutler  unnecessary  restraint,  ''as 
Ctiptain  i\Iorton  is  greatly  terrified,  for  ho  imagine  a 
you  to  be  a  parcel  of  dare-dcvih,  capable  of  under- 
taking anything,  and  I  fear  that  will  be  a  cause  of  not 
a  little  inconvenience  to  you.'^  So  said  Sewell,  and 
such  we  found  was  the  truth.  In  answer  to  a  question, 
he  said,  "the  quarters  designed  for  your  accommoda- 
tion have  been  examined  by  a  board  of  magistrates, 
(or  directors)  who  pronounced  them  proper  and  com- 
fortable, and  so  they  ought  to  be  too,  for  ilie  owner 
gets  JC25  per  head  for  taking  you  ^horiir,-  and  fur- 
nishing you  with  provisions.''  He  also  iniormed  us 
that  "a  number  of  French  felons,  of  the  worst  class, 
whoso  crimes  were  theft,  burglary  and  highway  rob- 
bery, were  to  go  in  the  same  ship.  You  will,  of  course, 
for  your  own  credit,  have  no  connnunication  with  them, 
as  they  are  bound  together  by  the  various  ties  of  evil  and 
corrupt  associations,  while  they  would  feel  no  scruplo 
in  stealing  the  hast  morsel  you  had  to  eat.  They  have 
been  addicted  to  every  vice  under  heaven  from  infancy; 
and  with  some  of  them  this  is  the  third  sentence." 
Such  was  the  sherifF's  picture  of  beings  the  Governor, 
Sir  John  Colborne,  had  selected  as  companions  f'.)r  us 


}■ 


M 


f 


lit 


IrA^ 


■  i 

■  ^  . 


^'* 


■■H  M^rtMntttfk  ,. 


s  .■ 

t 

'*4 

MO 


LK'rrKRS    FROM    V.   D.    l^ 


•     |! 


i '; ! : 


li-i' 


! 


'  4 


■  If 


MM 


w  ■  '9 


k 


'      ;'li 


to  liiiglund,  for  the  purposo,  no  doubt,  of  liirowing 
upon  our  clinractors  appoaranccs  of  deeper  stigma. 

Tlio  city  was  filltjil  with  rumors  rogrirding  tljo  uii- 
proccd'-iilrd  cscapo  of  Thcllcr  and  Dodgo,  from  the 
liilhcrto  impregnable  fort.  '-Dut  Yankees  arc  the  (/(??> 
iU  for  liberty,  and  iron  '^rates,  stone  walls,  or  bayo- 
nets can  not  detain  th( m  fron>  it.*'  Thry  liavc  achiev- 
ed a  wondijrful  deed;  they  desired  freedom,  they  strove 
for  it,  and  they  gained  it;  find  mny  they  enjoy  it  for 
over!  Wt?  were  informed  "l!io  authoritios  were  well 
convinced  the  [dan  never  could  have  prospered  bi.t 
tiirough  prf>in[)t  aid  from  without.'''  b'usjiicion  had 
rcstetl  upon  the  guard,  but  tliat  Vva^  alkiyed  by  the  fact 
of  the  sentinel  being  so  thoroughly  drugged;  and 
*'hundred-eyed  fame"  implicated  many  a  good  man. 
whose  assistance  could  have  been  rendered  in  no  other 
wav  than  throu2;h  «:ood  wishes  and  nravers,  vet  wlio 
would,  ha<l  ;in  oppoitunily  oilered,  have  periled  their 
lives  in  accomplishing  what  was  happily  efiected  with- 
out them. 

Wc  saw  by  papers,  stealthily  obtained,  that  these 
two  m.en  had  been  received  in  New  York  at  the  same 
time  wi:h  ?.Iessrs.  W.  Nelson,  Bouchette,  Desriviers, 
Gauvirc,  Marchasault,  CJoddeau  and  Viger,  from  Ber- 
muda, whither  they  had  been  arbitrarily  sent  by  Lord 
Durham,  and  from  whence  they  returned  on  account 
of  the  Governor  refusing  to  acknowledge  the  authori- 
ty of  a  Canadian  Governor  to  control  or  command 
him.  A  glorious,  independant  principle,  that  resulted 
in  the  liberation  of  five  as  good  men  as  ever  trod  the 
Canadian  soil.     A  happy  meeting  indeed  theirs  must 


m 


1  rowing 

tlio  uii- 
I'uni  tlio 
the  dev- 
r  bayo- 
acliicv- 
y^  strove 
y  it  lor 
re   well 
•0(1    bi.t 
on    li.'ul 
the  fact 
d;    aii(i 
)d  man. 
10  other 
vv{  wlio 
:d  their 
m1  with- 
it  these 
le  same 
rivicrs, 
»m  Ber- 
y  Lord 
iccount 
.uthori- 
mmand 
csulted 
•od  the 
s  must 


i.i;tti:rs  riioM  v.  d.  j,. 


113 


■ 


have  been,  in  lliu  joy  of  which  v.c  heartily  jjartiripa- 
tcd,  though  eaptives  ourselves.  Wo  exulted  in  their 
freedom,  and  looked  confldenlly  forward  to  the  time 
when  our  own  hjt  would  be  as  liajipy. 

VVc  read  with  dejected  hearts  the  total  faihuv!  of  the 
numerous  irruplionri  along  ih-;  whole  frontier  (»f  the  two 
Canadas,  and  wo.vo  inten.5ely  dislrcrf^ped  and  excited  by 
the  unhai>[)y  fate;  of  r.,any  of  our  ))nrsonal  acquain- 
tiuices,  wlio  fell  in  the  fi'dd,  or  w-ro  huichjred  in  cold 
h!ood  by  the  notorious  Prince.  Yet  i  did  not  mourn 
those  who  fell  gallantly  fightinf^,  so  nuieh  as  1  did  the 
poor  ciiptives,  whose  fate  (judging  from  what  would 
have  been  mine,  had  there  be  ii  no  restraint  exercised 
over  Sir  Oeorgo  Arthur)  would  Lj  a  thousand  times 
\vor^e.  '"'IMiey  mu.;t  expiate  their  crimes  [love  of  free- 
dom] on  the  bloody  gallows.'-'  'J  host;  in  the  Upj)er 
I'rovinco  were  in  the  h;u"ids  of  "a  lier.d  wiioso  delight 
was  blood/'  and  who,  for  his  atticcilies  in  Van  Die- 
man's  Land,  had  deservedly  vi  ceived  the  cognouion  of 
'f\ithur,  llie  Bloody  Lxeeutiont  r."  May  God  deliv- 
er them  from  his  hands,  and  disappoint  bis  dark  re- 
venge, was  tlio  sincere  pra^-or  of  my  heait  when  1 
had  fmished  the  tale  of  wo. 

At  about  eleven,  camo  tin  blecdc- roitli  will)  his  ham- 
mer and  anvil,  accompanied  by  a  man  bearing  our 
chains,  with' the  sound  of  which  we  liad  become  so  fa- 
miliar, that  it  failed  to  create  much  sensation  now.  We 
were  prepared  by  having  all  our  things  packed  away, 
and  our  clothes  on  to  shield  us  from  the  severe  cold. 
The  chains  wero  riveted  on  our  legs  as  before,  but  un- 
fortunately for  Mr.  Parker  and  myself,  the  one  worn 


tfs 


1  , ' 

t     1 

1 

'•J 

.1 

» 


WW-  ' 


J\ 


:    -I 


.:n: 


i\ 


> 

i:ii' 


!tf: 


ii, 


■■  m 


W!Mi\ 


\i  {■ 


i 


111 


M.ITF.KS    I'llOM    V.   I/.    I. 


nntl  n()tc}i(,'d  by  Mcsrir.i,  CJi'tnmel  and  Vernon,  u.s   be- 
fore related,  fc.'U  to  HI.     Tlu.'so  ch.'iin.^  and  a  com 


pa- 


ny  ot  r.  giilar.i  v.:  ;•<•  not  .surilci(..nt  security  in  passing 
through  a  wallod  city,  but  iho  uxt'cialjl';  culi'j  niu.st  bu 
added  U)  tiur  L'f|uiptnonts,  pcrliap.s  fur  our  comfort  or  a 
peculiar  indignity.  \'l<,  it  nnvA  h^  tio!  fur  I  iiavu 
never  known  llio  Jirilijli  govorinncnt,  or  any  of  it.s 
emissaries  omit  thcsc",  tliongli  the  re;  wn.-j  no  necessity 
for  them.  We  wcro  driven  from  t!io  door  on  a  num- 
ber of  sleds  to  the  dock,  whrro  a  vast  multitude  was 
collected,  among  wliom  I  couhl  not  perceive  the  fdight- 
cst  inclination  to  rudeness,  hut  111;;  tear  of  sympathy 
glibtencd  in  many  an  eye,  and  if  i  could  judge  by  ap- 
pearances, many  a  liearl-fclt  prayer  went  up  for  our 
welfare.  The  ship  in  which  wc  were  to  cmbiirk  rode 
two  miles  from  shore.  As  wo  seated  ourselves  in  the 
yav/1,  where  cloven  felons  wero  before  us,  one  univer- 
sal acclaim  rent  the  air,  "for  our  safe  and  speedy  re- 
turn to  our  homcs.'^  When  wc  shoved  off,  I  could 
not  refrain  repeating  iMoore's  beautiful  and  pathetic 
farewell  to  Erin.  The  French  in  the  boat  sung  a 
plaintive  French  ditty,  that  was  responded  to  by  those 
on  shore,  with  such  a  deep  pathos  that  the  man  ujust 
have  possessed  a  heart  of  adamant  who  could  have 
listened  without  tv-arful  emotions. 

But  I  must   make  the  embarkation  and  passage  the 
subject  of  another  letter. 

I  remain,  dear  sir. 

Yours,  6c c.  &:c. 


LKTTEUa    FROM    V.   I).   L. 


140 


a.s   bc- 

must  be 

fort  or  a 

I  luivo 

y  of  it.s 

iccossity 
a  iium« 
ii(I(j  was 
ic  .slight- 

lupatliy 
:  by  .'ij,- 
for  our 
vk  rodo 
s  in  tlio 
!  univor- 
ccdy  rc- 
I  could 
pathetic 
sung  a 
)y  those 
xn  njust 
lid  have 

;agc  the 


d:c. 


^ 


LirrncR  viii. 


ANuiiROVK,  near  Oatlands,  V.  I).  L. 


Noccmhcr,  ifiiO. 


o 


Mv  DcMr  Sir:  Tho  clone  of  iNovcnihcr 


IS  very  ni- 


clcmont  in  Lower  Canada;  and  you  may,  thcrcforo, 
bo  well  assured,  that  we  antiei()ated  no  pl(>a.surc  in  tho 
voyago  lo  Mnf^land,  but  could  not  possibly  have  dream- 
ed of  tho  sllght.'st  approach  to  th';  horrors  wo  wore 
about  to  bo  stibjectcd  to,  on  board  the  (.'npt.  lloss,  a 
barque  lying  with  anchor  hove  ^[)f'alv,  awaitjng  our 
arrival.  S!ic  was  owned  by  tv/o  brothers,  Messrs. 
Frost's,  one  of  whom  resided  in  ijiverpool,  and  tlio 
other  at  Ciueboc.  The  latter  accompanied  us  from  the 
doclv,  and  informed  us  tliat  the  "cabin,"  prepared  for  , 
our  reception,  was  lit  for  tho  Governor's  use;  and 
Capt.  Morton  had  his  instructions  to  treat  us  with  for- 
bearance, and  furnish  us  good  provisions;  and,  said  he,* 
"you  will  fmd  yourselves  uselessly  encumbered  with 
your  sea  stores ;''  and  that  Capt.  M.  was  a  good,  kind 
man,  who  would  act  a  generous  part  toward  us,  to 
whom  he  would  introduce  Mr.  I'arker  iuu\  nt}  self. 

As  soon  as  our  yawd  struck  the  ship,  the  anchor  was 
tripped,  the  sails  shook  out,  and  the  ship  got  under 
wav. 

VV^e  found  some  dilficulty  and  danger  in  climbing 
up  tho  ship's  side,  but  wore  assisted  by  the  board  of 
Magistrates,  who,  with  Mr.  Hunter,  (son-in-law,  to 
the  jailer,  Mr.  JelFrics,)  were  there  before  us.  A  hur- 
ried delivery  was  made  of  the  prisoners,  by  the  Sher- 
10 


¥ 


^^,  -!'■ 


S* 


1  • 
i 


\ 


■    ,  1   ■  :  r    ■ 


W' 


1¥ 


:               1 
1         1 

vi  .■.'!;' 

^^  tl 

V-, ''1 

i^.! 

1  ■ '    'I 

iji 

f  ^      1 

■!i 

■i'-l 

M 

\0 

146 


LETTERS    FROM   V.    D.    L. 


iff,  to  ''Capt.  Digl)y  Morton,"  when  all  left  but  Mr. 
Frost  and  Hunter.  We  were  taken  directlv  aft,  where 
tlie  master  stood  in  evident  tremor,  which  I  supposed 
tho  elTect  of  the  cold,  though  I  thought  of  what  the 
Sherjfr  had  said. 

The  day  was  uncommonly  severe,  and  it  was  with 
no  small  pleasure  Mr.  P.  and  myself,  who  stood  first, 
iound  ourselves  searched,  and  turned  below.  But  ali! 
what  was  our  horror  and  dismay  when  we  discovered 
the  wretched  appearance  of  the  place  wc  were  to  oc- 
cu|)y.  We  called  immediately  to  Mr.  Hunter,  whom 
wc  desired  to  look  about  it,  and  give  his  opinion.  He 
Hid  so,  and  said,  *'it  was  more  like  being  calculated 
for  boasts,  than  for  human  beings  to  inhabit.  I  will 
go  directly  on  shore,  and  make  affidavit  to  that  elfect; 
and,  if  i)Ossible,  get  the  ship  detained.''  He  did  go 
directly  away;  but  his  endeavors  were  vain,  if,  indeed, 
he  intended  to  do  any  thing;  for  tho  ship  was  under 
sail,  and  a  fair  wind  soon  drove  us  onward,  beyond 
the  reach  of  his  promised  humanity. 

When  the  whole  number,  including  twenty-three 
:>!atc  prisoners,  and  eleven  felons,,  had  been  searched, 
and  sent  below  together;  and  the  trap,  or  hatch  of  iron 
grates  locked  down  upon  us,  a  scene  of  confusion  and 
tumuli  commenced,  which  beggars  description.  I  will 
not  atleinpt  it;  but  will  only  say,  tliat  P.  and  myself, 
being  the  first  below,  selected  what  we  deemed  the 
most  convenient  berth,  and  climbed  quietly  into  it.  to 
give  room  for  others;  for  not  one  half  could  have  stood 
up,  at  the  same  time,  in  the  space  allotted  us.  The 
shouts  and  curses  of  the  felons,  fighting  for  precmi- 


LETTERi<    FROM   V.   D.    L. 


14' 


til  roe 


ncnce,  mingled  with  the  clanking  of  chains,  aided  by 
the  frigid  chillncss  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the  damp, 
tetid,  smell,  arising  from  the  bilge  water,  created  pe- 
culiar sensations  of  gloom,  and  dread,  and  forebodings. 
I  gazed  up')n  the  face  of  every  man  near  me,  and  saw 
that  the  same  cxj)ression  sat  there  that  I  fancied  was 
upon  my  own.  There  was  something  working  within 
the  mind,  that  evidently  bewildered  and  agitated  it;  and 
each  dcjoctcd  countenance  spoke  too  plainly  of  an  ap- 
palling presentiment.  For  my  own  part,  I  felt  that 
the  last  trials  of  life  had  arrived.  I  looked  about  me, 
and  was  assured  that  existence  must  bo  short,  when 
surrounded  with  such  circumstances.  Indeed,  it  had 
no  charms,  and  no  hopes,  save  in  a  future  world.  My 
heart  sank,  and  every  buoy  vanished  from  my  soul. 
Then  I  would  have  given  worlds  to  have  terminated 
my  life  upon  the  gallows,  agreeable  to  my  original 
sentence;  for  there  I  should  have  been  no  useless  sac- 
rifice in  the  cause  of  Patriotism.  Then  I  should  have 
been  honored  and  mourned  by  friends;  and  my  corpse, 
though  mangled,  would  have  been  laved  by  the  tears 
of  sympathy,  and  perhaps  received  a  christian  inter- 
ment. But  here,  unknown  to  the  world,  I  was  about 
to  fall  a  victim  to  a  death  still  more  inhuman  and 
ilisconcerting  than  the  halter;  and  one  that  must  have 
been  dictated  by  private  treachery.  For  no  man 
would,  for  a  moment,  after  entering  the  place,  have 
harbored  the  thought  of  dragging  on  life  beyond  a 
week.  I  looked  upon  death  as  inovitabl<^,  and  revol- 
ved in  my  mind  cvorv  scene  that  must  succeed,  until 
appalled  at  the  idea.     For  thf  first  time,  I  shuddered 


-■■■*'$ 


••w 


148 


LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.  L. 


^1 


( 

it 


V    t    '■ 


M  ■ 

■            .1 

i<  ! 

'^■^  ••1; 

, 

'  .       V 

■i  ■ 

''i 

'•• 

-  ■      <>\ 

; 

k' 

|v 

m  '  ' 

If 

■l '  lift 

III: 


! 


mil 


at  the  approach  of  "the  monster"  I  had  formerly  un- 
shrinkingly faced  in  a  variety  of  forms. 

I  had  heard  my  days  numbered,  and  seen  the  gal- 
lows erected  as  their  finisher,  with  scarce  a  wish  to 
have  it  otherwise;  yet  now,  to  become  a  victim  in  the 
manner  here  in  view,  and  my  body  cast  into  the  deep, 
a  "loathed  thing,"  unhonorcd,  unwept,  and,  perhaps, 
my  fate  never  known!  was  a  thought  I  could  not  en- 
dure. There  is  an  undcfiniible  something  so  revolting 
in  the  thought  of  our  bodies,  though  "lifeless  lumps," 
being  consigned  to  a  watery  grave,  without  christian 
rites,  or  to  a  stranger's  tomb,  without  sympathy,  that 
it  adds  the  climax  of  dismay,  and  unmans  the  soul. 
The  mind  cannot  long  remain  in  this  agonising  inten- 
sity. It  must  either  shake  it  off  with  a  violent  effort, 
and  rise  superior  to  every  extreme,  or  sink  at  once 
into  a  lethargic  dispiritedness,  when  the  soul  must 
pine,  and  mope,  and  weaken,  and  at  last  utterly  decay, 
beneath  its  corroding  influence.  The  buoyant  heart, 
or  active  spirit,  may  occasionally  fall  into  the  latter 
state;  but  reason  will  soon  emancipate  it,  and  revive 
drooping  hope;  for,  with  such,  "while  there  is  life, 
there  is  hope."  But  there  are  those,  unused  to  disap- 
pointment, easily  discouraged  in  mind,  whose  spirits, 
when  once  bent  down  by  despair,  can  never  revert  to 
natural  buoyancy,  but  will  drag  on  their  tenements  im- 
perceptibly to  the  grave.  Of  these,  poor  McLcod  and 
McNuliy,  soon  showed  themselves  a  part;  for  they 
never  recovered  the  shock  their  minds  received  at  that 
embarkation;  but  gradually  declined,  both  'n  bodily 
and  mental  vigor;  and  desponding  to  the  las    Jropped 


rly  un- 

ho  gal- 
wish  to 
in  the 
!  deep, 
rhaps, 
not  en- 
voi ting 
imps,-' 
ristian 

y,  that 

e  soul, 
inton- 
oilovu 

t  once 

1  must 

decay, 

iieart, 
latter 

revive 

s  life, 

disap- 

pirits, 

crt  to 

ts  im- 

i  and 
they 

i  that 

odily 

ppcd 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


149 


almost  unconsciously  into  the  silent  tomb.  I  strove 
hard  to  overcome  the  distress  of  mind,  and  dejection 
of  spirits,  that  inevitably  follows  such  piacticing  upon 
the  mysteries  of  the  brain;  and  soudit  to  bear  all  with 
becoming  equanimity,  and  proper  christian  fortitude. 
Hope  did,  indeed,  buoy  up  my  soul  in  these  trying 
prospects;  yet  it  was  not  a  hope  for  prolonged  exist- 
ence here,  or  reonjoying  the  former  pleasures  of  this 
life;  but  a  heavenly,  and  a  purely  christian  hope,  that 
operated  as  "an  anchor  to  the  soul,'*  and  taught  me  to 
look  beyond  the  *'vale  of  tears,''  for  all  I  could  expect 
of  pleasure  and  joy.  I  also  found  a  consolation  in  re- 
flecting upon  the  intensity  and  purity  of  the  faith  un- 
der which  I  had  acted;  and  1  felt  not  a  repentant 
thought,  or  a  reflective  censure,  for  a  single  act  of  my 
political  career.  I  have  frcqucntl}',  since  my  incarce- 
ration, found,  that,  when  insulted  by  malice,  or  op- 
pressed by  inhumanity,  the  heart  could  assume  a  stern 
fortitude,  almost  foreign  to  its  nature,  that  arouses  it 
to  a.  dignified  contempt  i'or  fafe,  while  it  infuses  into 
the  mind  proper  conceptions  of  our  relations  to  Him 
who  gave  us  life  and  being,  and  will  not  sufier  "a 
sparrow  to  fall  to  the  ground  unnoticed." 

Although  we  had  undergone  severe  pain  from  cold, 
hunger,  want  of  rest,  tauglit  irons,  exposure  to  all 
sorts  of  weather,  and  abuse  and  insult,  from  a  set  of 
proud  aristocrats,  who  had  evidently  been  raised  from 
the  lowest  grade,  to  a  station  above  their  proper  sphere; 
yet  I  can  safely  aver,  that,  at  our  embarkation  at 
Quebec,  commenced  a  series  of  new  pains  and  new 
Buflbrings,  far  superior,  in  bitterness,  in  misery,  and 


w 


^4^.-11 


'^' 


150 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


*  '  '• 


■  I 


■  \-    . 

t 

!  t 
t 

i 

i 

-    * 

•     r 

i  ■ : 

; 

[      ill 

.■ij   ^   ■  in' 

1 

..1    #i 

}i ,  ■■  ■ 

in  producing  mental  anguish,  than  all  wc  had  before 
experienced;  and  which  coniinucd,  with  but  liti'e  in- 
termission, for  a  year. 

The  Capt.  Ross  was  a  small  timber  vessel,  loaded 
at  Montreal,  with  pine  and  oak  lumber,  that  had,  ap- 
parently, ])cen  exposed  to  the  winter  storms,  and  was 
literally  covered  with  ice.  She  was  the  last  ship  bound, 
that  season,  for  England,  and  the  only  hope  for  our 
conveyance.  The  owner  was  therefore  applied  to, 
and,  notwithstanding  her  being  completely  filled,  he 
concluded  to  charter  a  small  portion  of  her  for  that 
purpose,  as  thirty-four  persons  would  not  be  of  as 
great  weight  as  the  lumber  he  would  have  to  displace 
to  furnish  room,  but  they  would  add  many  hundred 
per  cent,  to  the  freightage  money.  To  gain  which, 
(for  ho  reasoned  geometrically,)  he  would  only  be 
obliged  to  cut  down  a  hole,  twelve  by  fourteen  feet 
square,  in  the  mid-ships,  through  the  frozen  mass; 
and  the  boards  cut  out  would  answer  all  purposes  for 
building  up  the  berths.  All  the  expense,  therefore, 
would  be  a  pound  or  two  of  nails.  This  humane  sug- 
gestion was  instantly  acted  upon;  and  behold,  after 
two  days,  with  all  hands  turned  to,  an  apartment  ap- 
peared, ready  furnished,  *'that  was  fit  for  the  Govern- 
or's use,"  and  which  ought  for  ever  to  do  honor  to  the 


generous  originator. 


When  wc  first  "went  below,"  into  that  "hole  of 
darkness,"  the  damp,  chill  atmosphere,  seemed  to 
strike  through  my  whole  person;  creating,  in  every 
joint  and  vein,  indescribably  painful  sensations;  and 
emotions  of  the  mind,  that  a  frigid  desolation  alone 


LLTTKRS    FIXOM    \.   D.    L. 


I5i 


before 
I'o  in- 

)  ap- 
1  was 
und, 
r  our 
to, 
1,   iio 
that 
r  as 
Diace 
id  rod 
lich, 
^    be 
feet 


ooLild  produce.  The  bioud  a[>j^earcd  lo  curdle;  cuicl, 
trembling,  shuddering,  palpitating,  shrunk  back  to  the 
iicart,  and  left  the  body  cold  and  chill,  benumbed  and 
inanimate;  obviously  laboring  vciiemontly,  to  regain 
natural  perspiration — sensations  that  I  cannot  better 
portray  than  by  supposing  a  person,  when  in  free  pul- 
sation, plunged  unprepared  into  bitter  cold  water.  A 
considerable  period  elapsed  before  the  body  could  ra- 


il  feeli 


Afl 


thi 


turn  to  its  natural  leeinig.  Aiier  a  lew  ciays,  mis 
dreary  chillncss,  gave  way  to  an  oppressive  humi- 
dity— a  sullbcating  warmth,  caused  by  tiio  air  being 
so  repeatedly  inhaled;  and  by  which,  it  became  so  va- 
pid and  putrid,  that  I  cannot  but  wonder  how  humani- 
ty could  endure  it.  Indeed,  nothing  but  the  '.'si)ecial 
favor  of  Providence,  sustained  us,  and  led  us  througii 
that  most  trying  scene. 

Another  thing  that  added  much  to  the  malignity  ot" 
the  atmosphere,  was  the  fact,  of  none  of  our  number 
being  permitted  to  go  to  the  upper  deck,  tor  any  pur- 
pose whatever,  during  the  first  fifteen  days;  and  con- 
sequently, there  was  a  necessity  for  nuisances  below, 
which  were  two  common  buckets,  placed  loosely  upon 
the  deck,  beside  some  of  the  beds.  The  lurching  of 
the  ship  often  upset  them.  The  effect  this  had  upon 
the  atmosphere  and  the  cleanliness  of  the  poor  fellows 
who  were  forced  to  lie,  (for  I  do  not  believe  they 
could  sleep,)  on  the  deck,  must  be  imagined,  ff»r  it  is 
too  revolting  to  bo  described. 

All  who  occupied  the  lower  tier  of  berths,  as  well  as 
the  deck,  frequently  also,  got  the  benefit  of  a  sea  wa- 
ter bath;  for  when  the  wind  and  waves  were  high,  the 


m 


i  • .  .^J 


s„      I, 


152 


LETTERy    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


•  \ 

> 

■$ 

H 

> 

■  1' 1; 

; 

ii";^ 

If! 

«! 

!'" 

, 

,*           tr" 

Wl' 

:p  !t 


t' 


I 


H- 

■« 


■  "I 


I 

;i 

a! 


iliil 
W 

■ku'. 
i 


:5. 


'  It: 


'niii! 


A  . 

.1 


'^1?:^ 


i! 


:t' 


i: 


upper  fleck  was  flooded,  and  the  water  ruslicd  down 
the  grated  hatch,  (over  which  only  a  tarpauling  was 
loosely  drawn,)  literally  deluging  the  whole  *'apart- 
ment,"  until  the  deck  was  Kcuttlcd  to  let  It  off;  while 
those  occupying  the  upper  berths  were  subject  to  the 
continued  dripping  from  the  lumber,  of  the  melting  ice. 
The  bedding  allowed,  (besiilc  our  own,)  consisted  of  a 
narrow  straw  mattress,  and  two  blankets.  My  bed 
lay  next  the  wall,  and  it  became  immediately  wet,  and 
continued  so  until  we  disembarked.  A  narrow  shelf 
was  occupied  by  poor  iMcNulty  and  John  Grant,  ono 
of  whom  could  scarce  maintain  a  place  upon  it;  being 
chained  together,  they  could  not  separate;  therefore 
were   obliged   to   lie  "heads  and    points,*'   or  *'takc 


?? 


•turns. 

The  deck  above  us  was  pierced  on  each  side  with  a 
hole,  two  by  four  inches,  into  which  were  settled  thick 
"bull's  eye"  glasses,  forming  "sky  lights,''  that  only 
served  to  make  darkness  more  visible.  They  did,  in- 
deed, afford  light  for  one  or  two  to  read  for  a  few 
hours  in  a  bright  day,  but  the  book  must  be  held  im- 
mediately under  the  glass,  one  of  these  glasses  was 
directly  over  my  berth;  and  consequently  I  spent 
much  of  the  time  more  agreeably  than  many  others. 
During  fifteen  days  I  was  not  out  of  my  berth  for  ten 
minutes  at  a  time;  and  still  I  unaccountably  retained 
my  health  and  spirits. 

A  description  can  scarce  convey  the  smallest  idea 
of  the  real  sufferings  we  endured;  and  none,  but  those 
who  ha  experienced  a  storm  at  sea,  under  similar 
circums^     jes,  can  conceive  the  disorder  continually 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    I).    L. 


153 


i 


raging  among  us.  I  liuvc,  since,  particularly  examined 
nKuiy  places,  built  expressly  for  tlio  condign  punish- 
m;:!nt  of  incorrigible  olFouders.  The  '-black  hole'' — 
the  low,  iron  bound,  flagged  coll — th(;  Irrad  mill,  and 
many  other  inventions  for  peculiar  torture,  in  this  land 
->f  *'••  "id  and  infamy,  (where  a  renowned  clergyman, 
,.flc-  -eing  asked  by  Clcorgo  Arthur  to  examine  and 
give  his  opinion  upc  a  perinanr'nt  gallows  he  had 
erected  in  view  from  his  own  piazza,  said,  "I  have 
examined  your  new  fJcaOuld,  sir,  and  sav  it  will  last 
for  many  yearrj;  nine  unll  haitg  up(jn  it  comforluhh)^ 
and  eleven  in  one  of  your  cases  of  exigency,*')  and 
positively  would  bo  understood  to  say,  that  1  never 
witnessed  one  in  which  human  b(ino;s  could  not  drair 
on  life  Vr'ilh  more  comfort,  and  h'ss  misery,  than  in  the 
hold  of  the  barque  Capt.  Ross,  where  1  spent  twenty- 
five  days;  and  eternal  disg''aco  ought  to  follow  Mr. 
Frost,  the  owner,  and  the  members  of  the  board  of 
magistrates,   under  whose  supervision  he  fitted  it  up. 

The  provisions  were  on  a  par  wilh  other  things; 
and  consisted  of  oat  meal  gruel  for  breakfast  and  sup- 
per. Of  course,  those  who  had  any  provisions  them- 
selves, eat  none  of  that  "stuif;"  and  for  dinner,  a  pail 
of  "scouse,''  made  of  *'salt  junk,''  (beef,)  and  pieces  of 
biscuit,  boiled  up  together,  v/itb.out  regard  to  cleanliness 
or  relish — the  meat  was  nearly  putrid.  These  '*mess- 
es"  were  to  be  eaten  without  knife,  fork,  spoon,  or 
dish,  unless  the  same  were  supplied  by  the  prisoners 
themselves,  which,  fortunately,  some  of  our  number 
possessed;  though  knives  had  been  taken  away  wiien 
we  first  boarded,  but  subsequently  returned.     A  thick, 


•*■  tl 


M 


154 


I-r.TTERS    FROM    V.     I).     L. 


I  3 


•'  I 


t 


■m 


f  !    •:  !i 


course,  Jmrci,  black  biscuit,  'not  known  in  AmericLin 
.siii|)i)ing,)  wa.s  also  suppjiud,  each  clay.  We  of  course 
.ipplicd  tor  a  change  ot'  foo'l;  but  all  the  benefit  ari- 
sing from  th'}  application,  was  ni.jroly  a  permission  lo 
have  our  own  tea  made,  and  rice  cooked,  in  lieu  of 
the  ship's  provisions,  providing  we  ''would  supply 
•  'uough  tor  the  whole  mess;"'  which,  as  a  matter  of 
necessity,  we  did;  and  the  small  sea  stores  we  had 
providently  laid  in,  came  into  requisition,  notwith- 
standing Frost's  assertion.  Some  of  the  articles  wc 
iiad  were  of  little  use,  such  as  Indian  meal  and  (lour, 
•IS  the  doctor,  (cook,)  could  seldom  be  induced  to  bake 
a  cake  or  boil  a  pudding,  unless  on  the  broad  princi- 
ple of  a  ''full  sup'dv  for  all,  agreeable  to  the  Captains- 
orders." 

Almost  enough  has  already  been  told,  to  excite,  in 
the  breast  of  every  man,  "i  teeling  of  contempt  and 
hatred  towards  all  who  had  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
management  of  that  ship;  and  I  can  never  feel  other- 
wise than  a  profound  abhorrence  for  them.  Yet,  I 
would  say,  in  honor  to  Morton's  humanity,  that  he 
did,  after  half  the  passage  was  done,  permit  the  pro- 
visions, when  supplied  by  the  state  prisoners,  to  be 
cooked  distinct  from  the  mess  of  the  felons. 

Poor  L.  VV.  Millar,  chained  to  D.  Deal,  lay  in  a 
corner  berth,  on  the  opj)osito  side  of  the  ship,  and  al- 
most shut  from  any  of  his  countrymen;  without  mur- 
mur or  comj)laint,  passed  several  days  without  a  par- 
ticle of  food  passing  his  lips,  having  been  too  poor  to 
purchase  any,  and  too  magnanimous  to  discover  his 
necessity — it  was  discovered,   however,  and  relieved. 


' 


X 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   I).    L. 


l5o 


Tiencaii 
*  ooursf; 
etit  Mi'i- 
ssion  lo 
lieu  oi" 
supply 
attcr  of 
wo  hatl 
notwilh- 
cles  \v(. 
1(1  Hour, 
I  to  bake 
1  prjnci- 
Japtain";:^ 

xcitc,  in 
mpt  and 
with  the 
si  other- 
Yet,  I 
that  he 
the  pro- 
re,  to  \)C 

ay  in  a 
,  and  al- 
)ut  mur- 
it  a  par- 
)  poor  to 
jover  his 
relieved. 


I)Ut,  poor  man,  lie  was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton, 
;ind  we  all  felt  a  deep  sympathy  for  hnn,  though  we 
were  but  a  little  better  oil'. 

It  will  not  be  supposed  that  1  can  give  any  deserip- 
tion  of  our  passage  out  tho  St.  Lawrence.  Indeed,  1 
cannot;  for  we  scarce  saw  day  light,  until  after  we 
had  passed  the  grand  bank;  and  all  I  can  say,  is,  that 
the  weather  was  high  and  the  sea  boistereus — that  the 
decks,  cordage,  spars,  and  every  thing  about  the  siiip, 
were  covered  with  an  immense  quantity  of  ice;  and 
that  the  Captain  feared  much  its  conse([uence-r-that 
something  was  continually  "giving  away;''  and  that 
most  of  the  hands  iiad  some  parts  of  their  persons  se- 
verely frozen — some  of  them  in  such  a  manner  that 
they  were  rendered  cripples  for  life.  So  great  was 
the  injury  received  by  the  extreme  frost,  that  scarce 
men  enough  were  left  to  work  the  ship.  When  we 
heard  this  information,  ive  would  have  been  eminently 
liappy  in  olFering  our  services  to  work  the  ship,  ;\iu\ 
navigate  her  too. 

This  leads  me  into  a  relation  of  a  scene  that  took 
place  but  two  days  after  tho  foregoing  information  was 
received.  Quite  early,  on  the  morning  following  the 
passing  of  the  banks  of  New  Foundland,  an  unusual 
busde  was  observable  on  the  deck;  and  Capt.  Morton's 
voice  was  heard  in  calling  *'all  hands  on  deck,  even 
the  cripples."  Arms  were  supplied,  and  charged;  and 
the  men  disposed  so  as  to  "be  ready,  in  case  of  any 
rush  from  the  hold;  and  when  the  order  was  given, 
to  lire  upon  the  prisoners."  Such  was  the  pri- 
mary arrangement;  and  the  next  was,  lo  come  to  our 


Hi?; 


*»f     1 


I 


y    *    '■ 


'1 

'I 

i   .  '  ■ 

1 

,'     |;| 

1.10 


LETTERS    KROM    V.  D.   L. 


gralo,  and  onlcr  all  the  men  below  into  llic  berths,  on 
pain  of  immodia'c  tlcath.  The  Captain  then  comman- 
ded Vernon  and  Mallcry  on  deck,  at  the  same  time  de- 
claring that  he  was  "armed  to  the  toeth,''  and  so  were 
his  men;  and  tliat  th.ey  would  "destroy  every  soul,'' 
if  the  slightest  disposition  to  disobey,  or  move,  was  ma- 
nifested among  us.  Then  telling  his  men  to  cock  their 
pieces,  ho  iiasitiiy  unlocked  the  grate,  and  drew  out  V. 
and  iM.  with  imnrjnse  trepidation,  and  slammed  back 
the  door  suddenly,  as  if  a  rush  was  expected  from  be- 
neath. These  movements  astonished  us,  and  wc  re- 
mained in  suspense  as  to  tlie  meaning  of  the  uproar, 
until  they  had  brought  the  two  men  to  the  deck,  when 
their  vehemence  got  the  better  of  their  judgcmenl;  and 
in  their  haste  to  vent  their  wrath,  the  information  was 
undesignedly  conveyed  to  us.  They  accused  the  state 
prisoners  of  premeditating  a  mutiny,  to  take  the  ship, 
and  sail  into  an  American  port.  The  two  men  actually 
had  their  chains  nearly  severed,  while  three  other  cou- 
ple had  theirs  cut  in  two. 

After  considerable  altercation,  and  a  vain  attempt  to 
"seize  Vernon  to  the  mizzen  rigging  for  a  flogging,*' 
they  were  "turned  below, ^'  without  any  eludication, 
farther  than  the  discovery  of  the  tool,  a  notched  knife, 
with  which  the  chains  had  been  cut.  Parker  and  my- 
self were  next  called  up.  For  my  part,  observing 
their  nervousness,  I  lelt  a  little  obstinate;  and,  conse- 
quently, passed  up  the  companion  ladder  rather  slow- 
ly, which  they  construed  into  an  inclination  to  favor  a 
rush  after  me,  and  drew  mc  up  with  a  roughness 
hardly  consistent  with  kindness,  and  shut  the  door  with 


'k.  'M 


,i:(H 


LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.   L. 


ir)7 


rths,  on 
'omman- 
liinc  de- 
so  worn 
V  soul," 
vva.s  ina- 
ick  tlicir 
N  out  V. 
od  back 
Votn  bo 
;l  wc  ro- 
up roar, 
k,  wlien 
:Pil;  and 
lion  was 
the  .state 
,hc  ship, 
actually 
icr  cou- 

cmpt  to 

ication, 
d  knife, 
md  my- 
jscrving 
,  con  se- 
er slow- 
favor  a 
ughness 
oor  with 


a  celerity  that  clearly  proved  fear  reigning  predomi- 
nant with  them.  It  was  truly  ridiculous  to  observe 
the  precautions  taken  against  a  surprise  from  a  few 
unarmed  and  manaelefl  prisoners.  I  laughed  outright, 
to  see  the  master  of  the  ship  standing  on  the  poop, 
with  a  pistol  in  each  hand,  anfl  a  *'V()lunteer's  hoop 
hilted  sword*'  by  his  side,  tremblingly  agifat(;d.  The 
guard,  and  ail  the  men  on  board,  were  fully  armed, 
and  peculiarly  dispersed;  some  behind  the  main,  the 
fore,  and  the  mizzen  masts,  while  others  were  in  the 
boat,  01*  behind  casks,  and  all  with  their  anus  in  an 
altitude  of  defence. 

The  master  of  the  barque,  and  master  of  the  guard, 
both  at  the  samr;  time,  upbraided  us  with  having  plan- 
ned a  conspiracy  against  them,  which,  they  declared 
they  were  informed,  was  to  have  broken  out  that  day, 
lioaded  by  Parker  and  myself,  whom  they  sivorc,  should 
bo  punished  with  unmitigated  ''severity."  ''Cruelty, 
you  mean,*'  said  I — "yes,  cruelty,'^  AI.  replied.  "Hut, 
then,"  I  rejoined,  "calmness  is  requisite,  to  enable 
you  to  make  proper  enquiry;  and  an  investigation  may 
prove  your  information  erroneous.*'  ''Xo!  No!'*  ho 
replied,  "our  information  is  correct;  and  you  wcro 
using  the  saw  on  youi*  chains,  when  wc  received  it; 
and  the  mark  will  suftice  to  prove  what  I  say.  Will 
you  permit  me  to  have  your  chain  examined ?''  "Most 
assuredly  you  can  do  that;  but  you  ought  to  be  careful 
how  you  hold  those  weapons  in  your  hand,  for  they 
may  prove  dangerous  to  your  friends,  as  well  as  to  us, 
through  your  extreme  agitation."  This  so  exaspera- 
ted him,  that  he  swore,  and  fumed,  and  stamped,  lika 


I* 


\'»       \  I 


n.m 


% 


nffl! 


11 


::r 


iO*:- 


LtTTfcUh    KKOM    \  .   U.   L. 


a  mad  lollow.  I  felt  in  a  |)rovoculivc  liumoFr  and  in- 
dulged il  to  liis  great  annoyance,  moro  particularly 
after  tlie  chain  had  undergone  nn  examination,  with- 
out the  discovery  they  so  confidently  expected. 

Dinner  time  being  Jiow  arrived,  we  were  sent  down, 
and  farther  investigation  deferred  for  the  present.  On 
the  next  morning,  however,  the  hustle  recommenced, 
with  an  order  for  IJeemer  and  VanCamp  to  go  to  the 
deck,  who  were  soon  sent  back  again,  when  Parker 
and  myself  were  called  to  undergo  another  ordeal.  As 
soon  as  we  got  above,  Morton  accosted  us  with 
hitter  invectives,  and  said  he  had  positive  evidence  of 
our  guilt,  and  was  sure  of  finding  the  mark;  if  he  did, 
our  punishment  should  be  exemplary.  Mis  scrutiny, 
this  time,  was  crowned  with  the  desired  success;  for 
ho  really  dclecicd  our  guilt,  by  discovering  the  small 
incision  made  in  Montreal,  by  Gemmel,  who,  with 
Vernon,  wore  the  chain  at  that  time,  as  before  stated. 

I  cannot  say  that  1  ever  saw  more  frenzied  delight, 
exhibited  by  any  beings,  than  these  men  manifested. 
It  seemed  as  though  the  very  sluice  gates  of  demoniac 
pleasure  were  unlocked;  for  now  they  iiad  occasion, 
however  trifling,  for  punislung  the  very  men  they  so 
greatly  feared,  and  whom  they  anxiously  sought  to 
terrify.  Me  produced  a  large  chain,  weigliing  near 
half  a  hundred,  and  persisted  in  displacing  the  small 
one  we  wore,  with  it,  notwithstanding  the  ieslimony  of 
every  Upper  Canadian,  and  Mr.  Gemmel,  who  nobly 
came  to  the  grate,  and  declared  he  had  made  the  in- 
cision in  the  manner  before  explained.  I  certainly  did 
not  bear  this  new  indignity  with  very  good  temper,  for 


'Rf 


LETTEIlS    FROM    V.   I).    L 


ITlH 


near 
small 
)nv  of 
nobly 
ic  in- 

y  did 
!r,  for 


i 


I  [)ccan)o  cxasj)cr{acd  in  my  turn,  and  lold  Mortdii  I 
(Incmcd  liis  conduct  wuntonhj  cruris  and  (Owardi-y: 
nnd,  although  lie  could  emit  upon  us  his  mIkjIp  nialip- 
iinnt  rancor,  as  \vc  were  manacled,  and  in  his  power. 
rif't  hf  sliould  not  do  it  wilh  ifupuni/t/.  VV'c  should  yet 
meet  on  equal  terms;  and  il*  it  was  twenty  years  hence, 
i  would  hold  him  to  aeeounl  for  it,  and  require  nmple 
salisiuction. 

I  jtitied  his  weak  nnd  dastard  iear^;:  and  considered 
oj)prcssion  of  helpless  beings,  the  sure  indication  of  a 
menn  and  cowarillv  heart.     Tie  vindicated  his  conduct 


'on   the  score;  of  the  i'Uendef'   mutinv 


i> 


ut   I  tolrl 


liini,  in  strong  terms,  that  he  could  ji  '  have  attached 
any  real  hlame  to  us,  if  we  had  riscii,  and  "ven  com- 
iiiitted  murder,  in  revenge  fo?  i.  ving  been  liirust  into 
such  an  infamous  hole,  and  Starved  and  treated  as  v  " 


were. 


It 


ij)poars 


this  ]{ 


anguage  was  construct 


1  int( 


)  a 


chnllcnge,  and  carefully  entered  as  such  in  his  log, 
which  was  |)ublished  by  the  owner  as  soon  as  the  ship 
.'irrived  in  Liverpool,  where  credit  was  rendered  *'Capt. 
Morton,  for  his  intrepid  conduct,  in  discovering  and 
suppressing  a  most  dangerous  mutiny,  and  the  fearless 
manner  in  which  lie  had  visited  the  ring  leaders  with 
deserved  punishnT^'  i  while  he  wnguduiwovslij  pav' 
(ionrd  the  others:*'  witli  a  column  of  other  boml)ast, 
wliere  I  came  in  for  a  full  share  of  abuse. 

iti*j  exceedingly  strange,  indeed,  that  we  did  not  sus- 
pect Beemer  as  the  informer;  for  circumstances  were 
siron.';  against  him.  We  supposed  it  had  originated  in 
a  petty  quarrel  with  some  of  the  felons,  which  were 


•.  y\ 


;  i  iin 


160 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


t 

■'  \ 

'  irM  :\ 


.rii! 


not  unfrequcnt.    But  it  was  afterwards  proved  to  have 
been  him,  as  I  will  have  occaf^ion  to  relate. 

Oh!  for  n  curse  to  kill  llx  elnve, 
Whose  treneon,  like  n  dendly  blinht, 

Comes  o'er  tlic  councils  of  the  brnvc, 
And  blasts  them  in  the  hour  of  might. 

The  largo,  heavy  chain,   it  may  well  be  imagined, 
added   much  to  our  misery.     jMr.    Parker   generally 
stood  by  the  vsido  of  the  berth,  so  as  to  be  under  the 
light  for  reading,  while  I  lay  down  at  the  same  time, 
for  the  same  purpose;  the  chain,  ihercforc,  hung  over 
the  side  of  the  berth,  v.ith  its  whole  weight  on  my  an- 
kle; and  I  can  assure  you,  it  caused  no  small  pain  and 
anguish,    which   1   endured    for   ten  or  twelve  days; 
when,  being  in  sight  of  land,  the  Captain  begged  wc 
would  permit  him  to  divest  us  of  the  large,  and  invest 
us  with  the  small  chain.  I,  at  first,  opposed  the  change, 
determined  on  calling  the  attention  of  the  authorities 
to  this  outrage,  immediately  ai'ter  landing;  but  Parker, 
desirous  of  cscapiufi:  the  obloquy  such  a  diderence  in 
guards    would  undoubtedly  attract,  readily   assented, 
well  knowing  that  Morton  could  easily  find  means  to 
evade  any  odium  that  might  bo  attached  to  him  on  in- 
vestigation,    i  finally  consented  too,  and  found  son^.o 
relief,  as  my  leg  had  swollen  very  much.   For  the  Inst 
ten  days  of  our  passage,  we  Vvcrc  permitted  to  spend 
an  hour,  each  day,  on  deck;  and  although  the  air  was 
chill  and  raw,  it  was  a  happy  and  comfortable  hour. 
This  one  hour  of  fresh  air,  and  free  and  wholesome 
breathing,  did  more  towards  reinvigorating  our  frames, 


LETTERS    FllOM    V.    1).    L. 


161 


e  air  was 


than  any  thing  else  tliat  could  iiavo  been  otlered;  and, 
indeed,  I  was  grateful  to  God,  but  not  to  the  Captain, 
lor  the  enjoyment  of  it. 

A  Reverend  genticnian,  by  the  name  of  Osgood, 
iiad  taken  a  cabin  passage  on  board  ihc  same  barque, 
for  Liverpool,  and  frequently  visited  us  in  christian 
kindness — to  pray,  sing,  and  converse  with  us,  which 
relieved  the  tedium  of  manv  an  hour.  lie  was  a  New 
Englander,  and  had  sjven  times  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
on  holy  missions  to  the  poor  and  degraded  of  London; 
where  ho  had  sp(;nt,  at  one  time,  eighteen  months  of 
arduous  toil  in  the  service  of  his  Master,  subsisting 
uj)on  sixpence  sterling  per  da}-. 

For  the  last  ten  days  of  the  passage,  Capt.  Morton 
bccms  to  have  relented  of  his  severity  toward  us;  and, 
as  if  to  conciliate  Parker  and  myself,  ho  especially  al- 
lowed us  to  remain  longer  than  the  others,  sometimes 
overcoming  his  fears  sufficiently  to  detain  us  on  the 
dtjck  four  hours,  while  others  were  coming  up  and  go- 
ing below  in  rotaiion;  all  the  time,  however,  the 
guards  were  under  arms,  and  kept  strict  watch.  Mor- 
ton appeared,  naturally,  a  quiet,  inolRnisivc  sort  of  a 
man;  but  having  arisen  from  before  the  mast,  he  was 
highly  putted  U[)  with  the  importance  of  his  station. 
This  opinion  of  himself,  common  with  men  of  his 
country  and  class,  connected  with  egregious  coward- 
ice, rendered  him  an  intolerable  despot.  During  our 
passage  out  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  until  we 
had  passed  the  Grand  Banks  of  New  Foundland,  the 
weather  continued  unchangeably  cold  and  boisterous; 
but  then  became  mild  and  moderate — in  salubrity  much 
11 


. ,  -f 


^  ■(  1 


ir>2 


LETTERS    TRO.M     V.   D.   L. 


like  our  April  and  May — yet,  when  we  approached 
the  Irish  coast,  it  assumed  a  colder  aspect,  and  the 
dampness  rendered  it  far  less  endurable  to  us  than  the 
American  severe,  though  clear  and  dry  atmosphere. 

Our  entrance  of  the  Mersey  was  cheerless;  more 
particularly  on  account  of  the  mist  and  fog  so  preva- 
lent all  over  iMigland,  at  that  season  of  tlic  year. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  &c.  &iO. 


i-n'i 


V    * 


;•♦. 


I'k 


u 
.41 


LETTER  IX. 

AsHGRovE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  1).  L. 

Dcccmhc?',  1810. 
To , 

My  Dear  Sir:  After  the  expiration  of  twcnty-fivc 
days,  our  passago  across  the  Atlantic  was  completed, 
and  our  anchor  cast  in  the  river  Mersey,  tliree  miles 
from  Liverpool,  on  the  IGth  Decernl)er,  1833 — ^just 
thirty-eight  days  after  leaving  Fort  Henry. 

We  wore  soon  transferred  to  a  snuill  steam  lighter, 
and  conveyed  to  the  city.  We  lay  some  time  at  the 
stupendous  docks,  where  we  had  an  opportunity  of  be- 
holding, with  wonder  and  admiration,  the  extent  of 
those  magnificent  and  greatly  useful  works  of  art,  that 
liave  cost  millions  of  treasure,  and  years  of  labor  to 
('.omplcte.  The  tide  was  out,  and  wo  were  rn;my  feet 
below  the  top  of  the  quay,  where  was  collected  a  vast 
multitude,  betraying  the  utmost  curiosity. 

More  favorable  circumstances  could  not  bave  well 
i)eon  afforded  to  test  and  learn  the  general  feeling  for 


LET'IKIIS    FROM    V.   I>.    L 


1G3 


iproachcd 
.  and  the 
I  than  the 
sphere. 
'ss;  more 
JO  p  rev  fl- 
ea r. 

c.  &-C. 


V.  1).  L. 

1810. 

cnty-fivc 
(inpletcd, 
roe  miles 
!33— just 

1  liglitor, 
le  at  the 
ty  of  be- 
xtent  of 
art,  that 
labor  to 
any  feet 
}d  a  vast 

avG  well 
3ling  for 


us;  for  a  dotcitation,  if  felt,  must  break  out  in  insult 
xnd  violent  expressions;  but,  to  their  honor  be  it  said, 
that  not  the  ;  ,'^htcst  disposition  of  the  kind  was  exhi- 
bited, except  by  a  sooty  litlle  chiihcy  sweep,  v.ilh  the 
cquipn""its  of  his  order  in  his  hand.  Dut,  on  the  con- 
trary, :  11  was  calm  sviiinathv,  with  a  few  low  mur- 
niiirs  of  pity  and  comiiiiseration  running  througli  the 
crowd,  that  v/as  griitrQil  to  the  cars  of  the  wretciicd 
exile;  and,  when  \:r-  v/ere  all  standing  upon  ''terra 
firma,*'  the  throng  i:;ivii]g  opened  a  lane  for  us,  there 
v.'cnt  forth  one  co;:liiuio'.is  peal,  with  *'Crod  bless  the 
brave  Canadians,  and  speedily  release  and  return 
ilicm  to  their  wives  and  to  their  homes.'-'' 

Ileforc  wo  laiu'ed,  hov/cver,  the  Liverpool  owner, 
with  a  nuuiber  of  niagislrates,  bearded  us,  followed  by 
tlie  Governor  of  ib.e  liorough  jail,  and  a  man  carrying 
a  load  of  buriiishcd  liand  cuil]^,  with  which  we  were 
connected  in  parties  of  four — "kdon  style.*'  In  the 
street  near  the  dock,  a  number  of  carriages  were  drawn 
un;  into  which  v.c  were  put,  and  uhiided  away  to  the 
old  borough  jail — an  immense  building,  erected  exclu- 
sively i^or  the  detention  of  French  i)risoners  taken  on 
the  continent,  during  the  struggle  with  Eonaparte — but 
which  was  now  devoted  to  the  punishment  of  convicted 
criminals.  It  is  said  to  bo  capable  of  accommodating 
upwards  of  a  thousand  persons.  At  the  time  of  our 
entrance,  there  were,  as  1  was  informed  l)y  an  ofTicer 
belonging  to  the  establishment,  about  five  lumdred  men 
and  boys,  and  two  hundred  \\omen.  Tlie  boys  were 
upwards  of  two  liundrcd  in  number,  and  under  the  age 
■>f  ten — all  convicted  of  larceny,  or  felony  of  sonic  de- 


I 


I 


"i 


If 


( 1 


"'If*  T  n 

4ll: 


'•  Mil 


t  ^ 


*t    f\ 


'.'•    if 


-r   '' 


'■4 


(     -    .  ■  ■ 

'  % ' 

,1  , 

1'  ;■'< '  ' 


1      ■' 


s.H^- 


104 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


grcc — and  under  sentence  of  from  six  months  to  two 
years  close  imprisonment,  on  the  silent  system.* 

Ill  entering  this  imlace^  our  carriage  was  driven  by 
a  postillion,  with  a  guard  on  the  boot.  The  heavy 
gaies  closed  violently  after  us,  as  if  to  preclude  tiio 
idea  of  ever  repassing  its  dark  and  gloomy  portals. 

As  we  rattled  up  the  paved  court  yard,  beneath  the 
frowning  towers  and  grated  windows,  a  melancholy 
satisfaction  pervaded  iny  whole  soul;  for  it  was  indeed 
a  pleasure  to  be,  even  thus,  delivered  from  ihc  loath- 
some habitation  we  had  just  left,  though  we  entered  a 
boding  prison. 

At  the  main  entrance,  we  were  obsequiouly  received 
l)y  the  oilicials;  and  I  wondered  if  it  was  not  deemed 
a  privilege  to  become  a  tenant,  where  so  kind  and  fa- 
vorable a  welcome  was  administered.       It  reminded 
me  of  the  picture  I  had  somewhere  seen,  of  the  quaint 
alfability  of  a  landlord,  standing  upon  his  threshhold, 
dispensing  welcome  to  his  guests,  well  knowing  that 
every  new  visiter  added  to  his  gains.     I  am  sure  he 
might  w(dl  be  lavish  in  retailing  his  good  wishes,  when 
each  was  worth  at  least  a  half  crown  to  him.     The 
doors  were  immediately  thrown  wide,  and    we  were 
polilely  handed  from  the  carriage,  into  a  long,  narrow 
hall,  lined,  en  either  side,  with  a  row  of  sle^  ^oing  cells, 
whoso  heavy,  iron  bound  dooi's,  with  grated  diamonds, 
were  not  calculated  to  impress  us  with  an  idea  of  a  re- 
pletion of  comforts  within.   About  half  way  up  the  hall, 
we  turned  a  sharp  angle,  and  coon  emerged  into  a  tol- 
erably spacious  yard,  flagged  with  large  flat  stones, 
(as  was  the  case  with  all  the  ground  rooms,  halls  and 


j.J| 


i»i!  i  ■'■■\      li<^     -iF' 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    D.   I.. 


105 


IS  to  two 

riven  by 
■  heavy 
i-ide  tho 
ortaLs. 
icath  the 
ancholv 
s  indeed 
iic  loath- 
'ntered  a 

received 

deemed 
:1  and  la- 
■e  minded 
^10  quaint 
^'cslihold, 
'ing  that 

ft  Lire  he 
cs,  when 
n.  The 
we  were 
,  narrow 
ng  cells, 
amends, 
.  of  a  re- 
the  hall, 
ito  a  tol- 

stones, 
alls  and 


yards  of  the  building,)  and  flanked  on  the  outerside,  and 
separated  from 'another  yard,  by  heavy  walls,  nflcen 
or  twenty  feet  high,  with  a  coping  stuck  full  of  broken 
glass  bottles,  formidable  enough,  in  appearance,  to  de- 
ter the  stoutest  heart  from  any  attempt  to  pass  over  it. 
In  this  yard  we  remained  until  dispossessed  of  all  our 
iron  emharrassmcnis;  and  I  can  assure  you,  that,  at 
that  moment,  I  felt  not  only  light  footed,  but  light 
iioarted  also.  ^\'e  were  next  ranked  in  single  file,  and 
addressed  by  the  Governor,  (Mr.  Batcheldor,)  who  sta- 
ted, that  Mr.  JcdVics,  of  the  Quebec  jail,  had  forwar- 
ded documents  to  him,  expressive  of  an  exceding  good 
character,  which  he  was  glad  to  see,  and  hoped  we 
would  maintain  it;  "for,'"  said  he,  "character,  in  this 
country,  whh  a  prisoner,  is  every  thing,  and  it  may 
be  in  my  power  to  do  you  a  good  turn  in  that  way.'" 
The  "board  of  visiting  magistrates,'"  who  were  pres- 
ent, with  the  lord  mayor,  and  cx-mayor,  expressed  a 
deep  regard  for  us,  and  a  willingness  to  do  any  thing 
in  their  power,  to  meliorate  our  situations,  and  add  to 
our  comfort.  They  told  us  the  establishment  was  con- 
ducted upon  the  "silent  system;^'  but  that  they  would 
consider  us  exempted  from  an  obedience  to  that  rule. 
No  tobacco,  newspapers,  or  books  of  light  literature, 
however,  would  be  permitted;  and  no  articles,  of  any 
kind,  taken  out  from,  or  brouglit  in  to  us — no  letters, 
or  written  communications,  should  pass,  unless  first 
inspected  by  the  Governor,  who  would  always  be 
ready  to  extend  any  favor  compatible  with  rectitude— 
and  if  we  felt  ourselves  aggrieved,  in  any  respect,  we 
only  had  to  make  it  known  to  the  board  of  visiting  ma- 


5-^-^« 


l^M 


it 


:l 


% 


m 

i 


n 


M  \k 


*^'mr 


IGO 


LKTTEUS    mOM    V.   D.   L. 


J 'J 


\  <■ 


..II 


i 


I  111  I 


gistratcs,  some  of  whom  would  see  us  each  day.  All 
these  thing.H  arranged,  we  were  dismissed,  and  permit- 
ted to  retire  from  the  yard  to  the  day  room,*'  where 
WG  found  an  exiiilaraling  fire,  around  which  we  hastily 
crowded,  with  gratofid  sensation.--,  for  once  again  being 
disencumbered  from  our  galling  load,  and  permitted  to 
thaw  our  chilled  bodio=v.  The  felons  fmm  Quebec  re- 
mained outside  still  longer,  ami  li-tened  to  a  catalogue 
of  crimes  and  "bad  marks,'""'  that  ought  to  have  sepa- 
rated t'lem  for  /or  from  all  human  society;  neverthe- 
less, the  lenient  Governor  would  permit  them  to  remain 
with  us,  on  account  of  the  whole  number  being  "m 
transitu  f  but  ho  hojied  they  would  not,  in  the  least, 
interfere  with  us.  Wlicn  wo  had  become  comfortably 
placed,  and  fell  the  innucneo  of  the  f;rc,  (something 
we  had  been  debarrerl  from  for  twenty- live  cold  days 
past,)  supper  appeared,  in  the  shape  of  a  half  pound 
of  black  barley  and  pea  bread,  and  a  three  half  pint 
cup  filled  with  potatoes,  and  a  small  slice  of  meat  on 
the  top.  This  provision,  though  coarse,  was  partaken 
with  avidity,  wlien,  "out  of  respect  'or  our  being  men 
not  stamped  with  h.^nious  ollences,"  a  pot  of  ale  to 
each  was  served  out;  and  much  surprise  was  exhibited 
by  several  gentlemen  who  stood  by,  to  observe  some 
of  our  number  refuse  to  partake  it,  from  temperance 
principles,  which  their  persuasions  could  not  overcome. 
This  supper  was  served  us  out  of  pure  humanity;  for 
it  was  a  practice  there,  or,  rather,  a  standing  rule 
throughout  England's  jails,  to  never  supply  food  to 
the  prisoners  on  the  first  day  of  their  arrival,  suppo- 
sing them  to  have  been  rationed  for  the  day  at  their 


lettl:u.s  from  v.  d.  i.. 


Hi' 


hist  stopping  placo.  This  i:j  a  cruel  ruk",  for  prison- 
ers in  travsUu,  seldom  n^ccivo  their  customary  allow- 
anco;  iu\y\  novi'r  what  nalurj  would  ;  ( >  m  to  rccpiire. 
To  any  appeals,  ih^j  governor;!  are  always  inflexible; 
;uid  the  p(5or,  hungry  wretch  is  never  relieved,  except 
some  humane  fellow  prisoner,  where  he  lodges,  but 
little  better  supplied  than  him-elt",  chance  to  share  his 
scanty  pittance  with  him,  which,  in  the  whole,  would 
not  satiate  a  common  appetite. 

In  the  persuasion.^  used  to  induce  an  acceptance  of 
the  ale,  w^o  were  told,  that  it  was  a  peculiar  favor  gran- 
ted i)y  the  Governor;  and,  if  slighted,  he  might  be  o(- 
i^Kimlc(\.  I'ut  rdl  was  to  no  purpose;  for,  had  not  pled- 
ged abstinence  withheld  us,  I  think  a  taste  would  havi,* 
been  stiiricicnt;  for  I  cannot  conceive  wdiat  there  can 
1)0  in  this  national  beverage,  to  cause  the  bhiglish  peo- 
ple to  idolize  it  to  such  a  degree — to  an  American  pa- 
late it  is  perfectly  nauseous.  , 

Next  came  our  sleeping  apartments,  to  which* we 
were  shown  about  eight  o'clock;  upon  these,  my  mind 
had  been  running  for  some  hours  past,  for  our  last 
quarters  had  been  so  destitute  of  comfort,  that  wc  felt 
as  though  we  ought  to  find  something  of  a  better  kind 
here.  Wo  'hcnvever  soon  discovered  that  they  had 
been  t\irnished  with  but  little  r'^gard  to  comfort,  yet 
with  much  regard  to  cleanliness,  a  very  redeeming 
feature.  The  calculation  was,  for  three  to  occupy  a  cell. 
Messrs.  Wixon,  Parker,  and  myself  took  one,  and 
found  three  narrow  cribs,  very  like  coffins,  with  a 
mattress,  two  blankets,  and  a  pillow,  handsomely  rolled 
jip  in  each.     And,  although  I  had  the  precaution  to 


■i! 


41 
\\ 

>  !l 


■  if  ; 


iU 


'U 


<  II 


It  I 


'^ 


i^ 


nw- 


I  \ff' 


II., 


;    ( 


!il 


.t\ 


i 


!M:;i' 


.«"t!^! 


I. 


■!i 


t     i.'i^! 


111-       -^^ 


168 


LLTTERy    FUOM    V.   D.   I, 


take  ill  my  overcoat  and  cloak,  yet  I  tclt  tlic  necessity 
of  more  bedding.  I  really  thought  Mr.  Wixon  would 
never  recover  that  night's  severity;  tind  I  do  not 
know  that  he  ever  has.  He  was  scizeil  with  a  violent 
dysentery,  and  could  obtain  no  alleviation  ibr  the  night. 
The  morning  came,  and  with  it  new  scenes;  for  we 
were  directed  to  roll  our  beds  as  wc  found  them,  clean 
our  cribs,  sweep  the  room,  rub,  with  a  white  stone, 
the  door  .sill,*and  carry  out  the  nuisance  tins — wash 
them  in  a  largo  stone  trough,  standing  beside  a  well  in 
the  yard;  then  pile  them  regularly  in  one  corner  of 
the  yard.  Next,  wc  were  to  undergo  ablution  our- 
selves, in  the  same  stone  trough;  and  then  rank,  in 
single  file,  opposite  a  window  opening  into  the  main 
court,  when  breakfast  made  its  appearance,  consisting 
of  the  pots,  (in  which  our  suppers  had  been  served,) 
filled  with  the  detested  oat  meal  gruel,  and  a  half  pounc. 
of  the.  "brown  tommy."  iMy  gruel,  as  well  as  many 
others,  remained  uneaten.  After  breakfast,  recourse 
was  again  had  to  the  trough,  to  cleanse  our  dishes. 

About  an  hour  after  we  had  breakfasted,  tv  of  the 
felons  from  another  wing  of  the  establishment,  (both 
doing  the  term  of  their  sentence  there,  the  one  a  year 
for  smuggling,  the  other  eighteen  months  for  vagran- 
cy, alias,  poaching,)  came  to  our  apartment,  to  teach 
us  the  art  of  cleaning,  scouring,  and  scrubbing  it.  The 
benches  and  tables  that  circled  the  whole  ward,  first 
underwent  a  scouring  with  sand  and  water,  rubbed 
with  half  a  cocoa  nut;  then  cleaned  with  soap  and  wa- 
ter. The  next  was,  to  sweep  and  scrub  the  flagged 
floor;  then  to  rub  the  whole  with  a  white  stone;  and, 


LETTERS    P^ROM    V.   I).    L 


109 


In^lly,  the  whole  yard,  n.11  area  of  alxHit  one;  liunJrod 
toct  by  torly,  was  swept  and  nioj)|)C'd,  and  likewise  the 
imincjisc  hall,  which  ended  the  labors  for  the  dny; 
and  the  orders  were,  tliat  wc  should  observe  how  it 
wns  done,  so  as  to  1)0  al>le  to  do  the  same  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning.  Out  of  the  twenty-three  state  prison- 
ers, only  four,  (native  Scotchmen,)  eould  partake  of 
tlie  oat  meal;  and,  consequently,  several  cups  remain- 
fid  full,  sitting  on  the  table;  when  the  felons  came  in, 
they  looked  so  wishfully  at  them,  that  wc  could  not 
mir^understand — we  tlK-refore  told  them  to  cat  what 
tliey  wanted.  T!io  poor,  half  starved  wretches,  actu- 
ally emptied  five  cups  each,  and  d(^clared  they  had  ne- 
ver enjoyed  so  ample  a  meal  before. 

The  visiting  magistrates  soon  made  their  appear- 
ance, and  wo  at  once  applied  for  a  change  of  the  gru- 
el, for  something  else  more  palatable.  They  complied, 
and  granted  milk  in  lieu  thereof;  but  the  bread  they  could 
not  alter.  With  the  magistrates  came  Mr.  Thornby, 
I\I.  P.,  the  mayor,  ex-mavor,  and  Lord  Bishop,  John 
Buck,  D.  C.  L.,  Chaplain,  and  Dr.  Archer,  surgeon  to 
the  borough  jail.  They  all  spoke  kindly,  and  en- 
couragingly, and  hoped  wo  would  not  long  remain  in 
prison,  but  soon  be  pern^itted  to  return  to  our  homes. 
They  proffered  every  friendship,  and  s?Jd,  "if  you 
have  good  friends  in  America,  you  have  (equally  good 
friends  here,  and  those  who  will  serve  you  more  efioc- 
tually."  They  further  advised  us  to  write  any  friends 
we  might  have  in  England,  and  bring  ourselves,  by 
that  means,  into  notice.  So  many  applications  had 
already  been  made  to  see  us,  out  of  sheer  curiosity, 


«•  '• 


i 


;.  if} 

,.,      ..,1 

1 
1.  ■    ,    ■ 

■ 

'        .'1 

\              t 

i 

ii 

170 


LETTKRH    I' ROM    V.   n.    L. 


tlint  it  IkkI  bocomo  noccssary  to  utfcrly  close  tlio  door 
against  all  visitors'. 

Soaio  of  tliL'iii,  ill  tiio  pI'-Miitudi;  of  tin. if  kind  s(dici- 
tudo,  advis  m|  n.s  to  al);->t  lin  iVoni  communicating  with 
Messrs.  Hum-,  Iloohuck,  and  otlioiv,  of  that  class, 
whose  services  would  be  rather  djtriment.-d  than  benc- 
licial  to  our  interests.  Tiiey  dejiarlLMl,  und  \vc  felt 
pretty  well  satisfied  with  the  reception  our  first  request 
had  met.  lUit  \)\\  l-uck  remained  bcdiind,  for  farther 
conversation;  and  pleased  u ;  much  with  the  kind  soli- 
citude he  manilested,  and  the  apparent  pleasure  with 
which  he  deeply  engng'-'d  in  every  thing  appertaining 
to  our  temporal,  as  v.ell  as  !;^piritual  welfare.  This 
gent'eman  continued  to  vi.-.it  us  each  day,  and  was  ex- 
ceedingly alive  to  every  christian  principle.  Ilis  un- 
bounded benevolence  and  rrencrous  attention,  excited 
in  each  brea.>t  a  sen.so  of  grateful  pleasure,  that  never 
can  be  forgotten.  In  many  subseqirnt  scenes,  when 
my  whole  sonl  hae  been  vv'rung  by^oppression,  and  my 
mind  driven  to  feelings  of  retribution  against  the  hu- 
man race,  his  character  has  stood  out  in  reliefs  as  a 
bright  spot  upon  which  I  could  ^x/.q  with  satislaction, 
and  say  there  was  one  good  mci.i!  Not  a  single  trait  of 
character  was  exhibited  but  what  seemed  governed 
and  dictated  by  pure  principles  of  Christianity  and 
universal  hn'e.  1  cannot  relate  a  more  expressive  tri- 
bute to  his  philanthropy,  than  the  following  little  inci- 
dent that  took  place  at  his  house,  on  the  evening  of 
our  landing.  It  was  usual  for  a  select  few  of  his 
friends  to  collect  at  his  house  occasioally,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  social  prayer  and  spiritual  conversation.   When 


■  .^1 


p;i| 


li:ttkiis  i'Uom  v.  ».  i.. 


171 


tlio  (lo'jr 

id  solici- 
n<5  with 
It  class, 
111  bciic- 
wc  felt 
request 
1  art  her 
ind  soli- 
irc  with 
rtainiiif,' 
.     Tliis 
uas  ox- 
[Jis  uu- 
cxcitcd 
t  never 
!,  wlicn 
\nd  mv 
the  liii- 
^,  as  a 
action, 
trait  of 
iverncd 
ty  and 
ivc  tri- 
Ic  inci- 
ting of 
of  his 
ic  pur- 
When 


rnp,an:o(l  ill  o;ic  of  fho>;o  lilllc  l);ui(ls,  the  n(;w.s  of  our 
hui(Hng  was  cunvcycd  to  ihi.'in.  Tii.^y  in4antly,  at 
his  suggestion,  roFolv*  d  to  ail.tpt  our  {.'(iiidilitu  and  ul- 
timate rolea.'io,  as  thi)  a!):''jrl)ing  siihjix'l  ol'  that  night's 
praycr.j;  and  it  was  hito  't  i;j  tlio  o  prlitjon.-}  ceased: 
the  result  W!\s  a  strong  hope  of  tlu;  in;  rl'crcncc!  of 
Providence  in  our  favor;  and  he  f.')ni5ht  daily  to  infu.;o 
tliat  hope  into  <»ur  minds.  lie  had  hcen  engngcd  in 
the  service  of  his  country  in  the  cast,  whore  he  had,  hy 
intrepid  conduct,  work;  d  his  wiiy  from  the  ranks,  up  to 
the  station  of  I\l;ijor  of  Artillery,  wli^n  ho  renounced 
the  service  of  his  co;niirv,  for  that  of  his  divine  Mns- 
tcr — the  uniform  of  a  warrior,  ibr  th.)  surplice — the 
sword  of  destruction,  fur  tin;  gosp(  1  of  peace;  and  in 
this  character  ho  was  preeminently  usel'ul,  and  had 
already  attained  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Civil  Law. 
\Vc  gladly  listened  to  his  discourses  and  ]>rayers, 
which  were  always  extempore.  I  To  was  an  agreeable 
visitant  to  all  wdio  were  desirous  of  instruction.  IIo 
discovered  an  uncommon  dei»tii  of  thought,  and  delive- 
red his  sentiments  with  a  readiness  and  eloquence  that 
was  truly  fascinating.  His  understanding  appearcfl  re- 
markably clear,  which  was  coupled  to  a  quick  appre- 
hension, a  solid  judgement,  and  an  excellent  memory; 
and  was  ardently  devoted  in  promoting  the  worship  of 
"IsracFs  Covenant  ( Jod.*' 

On  Christmas  he  attciided  with  his  daughter,  (a 
child  of  about  eight  years,)  in  his  hand,  who  had  been 
long  anxious  "to  come  and  see  the  poor  Canadians.'^ 
When  I  beheld  the  dear  sympalizing  creature  holding 
'.o  her  parent's  hand,  gazing  upon  us  with  a  tearful 


-f^ 


\m 


ni 


LKTTKR8    V''.'\i    V.    I>.    I,. 


1 

1 
1  ,■ 

'  1 

i 

oyo,  (lor  sho  Imtl  ham  tanglii  to  pity  ul;,)  and  onqui- 
ring  of  our  own  dear  little  ones,  sirong  emotions  of 
l»ittur  regret  were  excited  in  my  bosom.  The  picture 
Urouglit  vividly  to  my  recollection,  Rcenos  of  tiie  past; 
contrasling  what  was,  anrl  what  might  iiavo  been 
my  situation.  I  then  felt,  niore  than  ever,  the  severity 
of  the  fiat  that  had  rent  asunder  the  sweet  lies  of  do- 
nv'stic  society,  and  the  friendships  that  still  bound  my 
lieart  to  the  land  of  my  birth. 

Altiiougli  scenes  of  this  nature  would  cause  my 
thoughts  to  revert,  sadly,  to  my  h(jmc;  yet  gloom 
could  not  endure — it  would  vanish  at  the  idea  of  hav- 
ing one  friend,  who  woud  not,  while  life  lasted,  cease 
her  struggles  to  emancipate,  or  join  me  in  my  land  of 
exile.  And  it  wao  a  melanclioly  pleasure,  too,  to 
know  I  had  left  behind  a  daughter  to  bless  the  naino 
of  her  absent  j)arent,  and  who  would  ever  bo  taught  to 
pray  for  his  release  and  return. 

Our  first  dinner  consisted  of  a  half  pound  of  bread, 
and  a  pint  of  "scouse,  made  of  cows  heads,"  boiled  to 
a  jelly,  with  lips  and  gullet  yet  covered  with  the  pro- 
vender the  beast  had  last  eaten — the  second  of  a  cup 
of  beef  broth,  or  "beef  tea,"  as  it  was  called,  with  the 
usual  bread,  and  half  a  pound  of  beef;  and  the  third 
of  tlie  same  as  the  first  supper.  These  dinners  came 
in  perpetual  rotation,  while  the  breakfasts  and  suppers 
consisted,  after  the  change,  of  one  pint  of  milk  each. 

We  were  in  the  heart  of  a  foreign  prison,  four  thou- 
sand miles  from  home — shut  from  society,  friends,  and 
enjoyments — debarred  the  opportunity  of  action,  and 
the  commonest  privileges  of  the  free — without  a  hope 


1 .1 


HI; 


Limtiis  riio.M  \.  1).  L. 


171] 


Inna  of 
picture 
K'  past; 
0   been 
•severity 

of  (lo- 

111(1  my 

jse  my 
gloom 
A'  hav- 
,  cease 
land  of 
too,  to 
p  name 
light  to 

bread, 
5iled  to 
10  pro- 

a  cup 
ith  tlie 

0  third 
i  came 
uppers 
^ach. 

I*  thou- 
s,  and 
1,  and 

1  hope 


of  chindestino  escape — with  but  i\  faint  earnest  of  sym- 
pathy, and  rA^fused  wholesome  and  proper  provision: 
vet  I  do  believe  everv  man  I't.'lt  contented,  cheerfid, 
nay,  even  iiappy;  for  the  contrast  between  the  situa- 
tion we  liad  just  left  on  board  llu;  ('apt.  Uoas,  and  llie 
one  wo  occupied  in  the  borough  jail,  was  so  great  that 
it  caused  sensations  of  pleasure,  grat(.'ful  to  feelings  so 
long  outraged:  and  when  night  came,  wc  retired  to 
our  scanty  beds,  with  strong  antic i[)ations  of  refresh- 
ing slumbers,  and  ideas  of  tolerable  comfort. 

Notwithstanding  the  advice  against  writing  iMessrs. 
Ilumo,  Roebuck,  6:c.  I  addressed  tliem  bolh,'  with 
Lord  Hrougham,  for  myself  and  the  other  Niagara 
District  prisoners,  as  a  distinct  class.  Messrs.  Wixon 
and  Parker  did  the  same,  representing  their  cases  con- 
nectedly, with  all  from  the  London  District  and  To- 
ronto, who  had  taken  the  benefit  of  an  '-ex-post  facto'' 
law.  Such  proceedings  were  most  justly  represented 
as  glaringly  illegal,  and  most  egregiously  irregular; 
and  Mr.  Millar,  on  the  part  of  the  American  citizens, 
wrote  Mr.  Stevenson,  the  U.  S.  Minister  at  the  Court 
of  St.  James.  In  my  letters  I  desired  to  hear  *4Vom 
some  of  those  liberal  spirits,  who  had  so  long  stood  up 
in  the  British  Parliament,  as  the  unbiassed  champions 
of  reform,  and  the  undaunted  opposers  of  an  evil,  ini- 
quitous ministry.  I  appealed  on  the  score  of  fellow 
feeling,  and  earnestly  solicited  their  aid,  in  bringing 
our  cases  before  the  eye  of  the  government;  so  that, 
in  the  event  of  our  sentences  being  carried  fully  into 
effect,  there  might  be  no  ground  upon  which  the  Bri- 
lish  ministry  could  get  rid  of  the  onus  of  an  illegal 


1    •-■i" 

i  i     •!•. 

Hi: 

<  f; 

'■A 
■  M 

f 


I 


^ 


s 


Iff 


M-. 


I' 


r'' 


l' 


,    ! 


:    h 


■^^1 


'  \  I'r'd 


■  i    ! 

'. 

' 

' 

1 

] 

i 
i 

171 


LKTTKRS    rUO:.I    V.   D.    L. 


transportation;  for,  in  ITppcr  Canada,  there  never  had 
oxistcd  any  law,  oven  recognising  such  an  event,  until 
but  three  montlis  prior  to  our  trial,  when  a  bill  was 
passed,  only  (mikipatinfr  it;  and  that  bill  had  not  yet 
received  the;  sanction  of  the  Qucon;  and  it  was,  there- 
fore, unconstitutional  to  act  upon  it.  But  all  the  prac- 
tices in  the  Province,  v/ere  rifo  with  unconstitutionality; 
yet,  I  fancied,  there  existed  more  responsibility  in  Eng- 
land, and,  consequently,  I  imagined  my  appeal  would 
not  be  vain."  In  fact,  when  I  lir>t  put  foot  upon  Bri- 
t'sh  soil,  I  felt  almost  assured  that  1  should  not  leave 
it,  unless  I  v/as  really  Jiomeirard  hound.  I  named,  tijo, 
the  niic  of  Sir  George  Artluir,  in  entering  into  a  com- 
jiact  with  the  prisoner,  by  which  ho  could  set  up, 
against  m':^i'itcd  censure,  the  }:l:\a  of  the  prisoner  ma 
hing  choice  of  transportation  in  tho  lieu  of  dca/'i — a 
plea  I  regard:'d  as  perfectly  puerile,  and  could  only 
have  origin:it'\d  in  a  total  absence  of  all  huv  upon  a 
subject  of  that  nature;  and  one  thrit  could  not  give  the 
slightest  coloring  of  propriety  to  such  a  violation  of 
what  was  right;  and  i  doubted  not,  but  that,  if  we  could 
obtain  a  hearing,  through  such  men  as  Brougham, 
Hume,  and  Roebuck,  we  would  fhid  liberality  sutlicient 
in  the  government,  to  release  us  from  imprisonment, 
if  not  a  full  permission  to  return  to  our  residence  in 
Canada. 

To  talk  of  clemency,  as  connected  with  the  Queen, 
I  knew  to  be  hyperbolical;  for  very  rarely  did  any 
communications,  designedly  made  for  her,  ever  meet 
the  eye  of  majesty,  particularly  when  not  agreeable  to 
ministers  through    whose  hands   they  must  proceed 


\ 

i 

i  ^  ■ «    i 

■        . 

)          1  ■ 
it    ■ 

I 

' 

l.ETTKUS    VllOM    V.   1).   1.. 


175 


;vcr  had 
nt,  until 
bill  was 
not  yet 
5  Ihcrc- 
10  ])mc- 
■>na]itv: 
in  Eng- 
wou  Id 
on  Jjii- 
)t  leave 
'd,  t-jo, 
a  com- 
et   up, 
or  ma 
al/i — a 
:1  only 
ipon  a 
vc  I  he 
tion  of 
could 
^hain, 
ficient 
mcnt, 
ICC  in 

ucjn, 
'  any 
meet 
3le  to 
ceed 


Ours,  for  instance,  must  be  addressed  to  the  Secretary 
of  State  lor  the  Colonies,  under  whose  arbitrary  policy, 
explained  to  the  Canada  Governor,  it  was  that  we  were 
suflbring.  Even  should  these  documents  apjiroach  ihc 
throne,  and  elicit  feelings  of  sympathy,  }et  they  could 
not  be  acted  upon,  at  her  instance,  if  counter  to  the 
views  of  the  ministry.  Nevertheless,  that  lliorc  miglit 
ho  j^o  "stone  left  unturned,''  1  wrote  out,  and  addres- 
sed to  Lord  John  llus-;ell,  a  petition,  signed  jointly  by 
all  mv  class,  pravinp;  ''Her  P-Inir'slv-'s  interference 
against  an  illegal  sentence;''  and  boldly  de;  cribing  the 
moans  resorted  to  by  the  Lieutenant  Co\ernor,  to  of- 
feet  our  transportation  from  the  land  of  our  homes. 
A\'e  iuQ-eJiiou.dv  acdvuowledp-ed  haviiirr  enrr;u7;':d  in  acts 
that  might  bear  the  construction  of  liigh^  treason;  but 
in  reality,  it  was  not  treason  iu  us;  we  liud  merely 
opposed,  by  the  only  means  remaining  to  us,  the  trea- 
sonable practices  of  Jler  Maj  .'sty's  r(M>rescntatiNe.  ^^"e 
had  lost  many  of  the  privileges  and  rights  the  con- 
::titution  had  provided  for,  and  we  only  sought  to  re- 
trieve them.  "W'c  had  been  driven  to  the  measures  we 
tjok,''  and  1  rpiotcd  Lord  Durham  \.o  su.vtain  it.  "We 
protested  against  our  inordinate  bondage,  and  appealed 
to  the  justice  and  good  will  *:)f  her  Majesty  to  her  loyal 
subjects,  for  an  effectual  release,  or,  at  l-jast,  an  im- 
partial investigation,  &c.  &c.*.  and  lastly,  we  knew 
that  when  her  Majesty  became  acrpiainted  with  our 
unhappy  situation,  and  read  our  faithful  representa- 
tions, and  listened  to  our  apj)eals  to  her  sense  of  equi- 
ty ,she  WOULD  grant  our  petitions;  and,  as  in  duty 
bound,  we  would  ever  pray." 


I1, 


m 

li 

m 

;  j 

:  *'**■»'■■ 

'•■::' Vil 

'i 

i 

ill 
i 

:f'!  ■    ii; 


I  V 


S'f 


170 


LKTTLRS    rnOM    V.   I).    L. 


<•■•  ■■bit' 

■ '  ■  m 


in!* 


I  next  wrote  Lord  Durham,  expressive  of  my  per- 
sonal <ji'atJtudc  for  lus  forboarauco,  through  the  appH- 
catioii  of  Mrs.  Wail;  and  congratulated  him  on  having 
"brought  home  so  many  testimonials  of  l.i.s  good  go- 
vernment, of  v\  hieh  [  was  a  living  one.''  I  recapitu- 
lated the  substance  of  our  paper  to  the  (^uecn,  and 
begged  he  would  put  in  her  hands  all  the  documents 
he  had  received  relative  to  my  case,  personiUlv\  I 
depended  much  upon  the  light  ho  would  throw  upon 
Canadian  affairs,  and  hoped  he  would  make  such  rep- 
resentations, relative  to  our  cases,  as  a  politically  op- 
pressed peoj)le,  that  would  result  to  our  ultimate  goofh 
and  "'his  liberal  princi[)les,  coimected  with  his  un- 
bounded influence,  would,  1  was  sure,  be  as  effectual 
in  procuring  our  liberation,  as  it  had  been  in  saving 
my  life.'' 

J3ut  all  my  expectations  from  him  were  vain!  for 
all  the  answer  I  received,  v.as  a  more  acknowledgment 
of  my  flattering  note,"  and  "an  acquiescence  in  the 
request  of  placing  at  the  disposal  of  the  ministers,  all 
the  papers  bearing  upon  the  cases  of  sentenced  politi- 
cal oilenders;"  *  *  and  he,  "at  present^  was  not  in  a 
position  to  command  any  influence  for,  or  call  the  at- 
tention of  the  Queen  to  them."  Whatever  Lord  Dur- 
ham's position  was  at  that  time,  it  is  now  an  acknow- 
ledged fact,  that  his  able  report,  that  made  its  appear- 
ance in  the  House  of  Lords,  but  a  short  time  subse- 
quent to  our  leaving  England,  has  done  a  deal  of  good 
to  the  oppressed  people  of  the  Canadas;  and  I  sincerely 
hope  he  \vill  receive  his  reward  in  the  world  to  come; 
for  I  am  sure  he  never  will  at  the  hands  of  his  unwise 


I 


I' 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


177 


and  impolitic  sovereign.  The  following  are  extracts 
from  a  letter  I  received  from  Joseph  Hume,  Esq., 
which  gave  considerable  cause  for  exultation  and  en- 
couragement. 

^^Bryanston  Square  2UhBcc.  1838. 
"Sir:  I  have,  on  my  rolurn  from  Ihc  country,  Ibis  moment  re- 
ceived your  letter  of  lho2'2d  instnnf. 

**I  cannot  hold  out  to  yon,  or  your  unforlimntc  companions  in 
misfortune,  any  hopes  that  I  can  do  you  any  good;  but  I  write  to 
ncknowlcdge  your  Ictfcr,  and  to  say,  that  your  cases  eh?ill  imme- 
diately be  en([nired  into.         '^         * 

"If  you  have  a  copy  of  your  petition  to  the  Queen,  send  mc  one, 
and  Guch  other  information  m  may  make  me  acquainted  -with 
your  ca  JOB. 

'*In  Lastfl,  I  am  your  nbd't  serv't. 

''JOSEPH  HUME 
''Mr.  Benjamin  Waif,  Liverpool  Borough  Jail. 
"P.  S.     Let  mo  know  whether  thia  rcaehca  you  !  1  " 

The  above  was  soon  followed  Ij}''  a  note  from 
Mr.  W.  Waller,  who  represented  himself  as  having 
come  from  W.  H.  Ashurst,  Esq.,  of  London,  Barrister 
•and  Solicitor  to  John  Arthur  Roebuck,  Esq. — that  his 
errand  to  Liverpool  "as,  to  see  us,  uxid  obtain  infor- 
mation for  them;  but  not  liaving  brought  an  especial 
order  to  that  ciYbct,  l.ie  could  not  obtain  admission  to 
our  prison,  until  it  came  from  the  Secretary  of  State, 
for  which  he  h^u  since  writluo.  Fie  also  sent  in  a  pa- 
per, purporting  to  be  an  agreement  with  VV.  IL 
Ashurst,  to  act  as  our  solicitor,  by  which  his  services 
would  be  ensured,  under  the  eye  of  Roebuck,  Brough-. 
am,  Hume,  &c.  The  docnment  was  readily  signed 
by  all  but  Beemer,  and  returned.  An  order  for  his 
admission  arrived;    and,  although  seven   in   the    evc- 


'(  , 


i! 


m 


V 
■  '    *J_ 


V  T|- 


j^HIP- 


/ 


i   -t 


■:--flili 


■,.\ 


.■..:l. 


.:l^!- 


178 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


ning,  he  came  in,  immediately,  to  inform  us,  that  jMr. 
Uoebuck  would,  hinisclf,  be  down  on  tlic  following  day; 
and  he  suggested  the  pro})riety  of  appointing  a  ]>crson 
from  each  class,  to  confer  with  him,  to  avoid  confu- 
sion.     Messrs.  Wixon  and  Parker,  were  to  take  pre- 
cedence for  their  cases;  and   mvself  and  Miller  were 
to  follow,  for  ours.     It  was  arranged  that  Mr.  Waller 
should  introduce  the  four  to  Mr  Uoebuck,   while  the 
otliers  were  to  seek  amusement  in  the  yard.  The  next 
day,  al)0ut  lV»ur  P.  M.,  AJr.  Roebuck  made  his  appear- 
ance, accomjianied  by  Mr.  W.     I  was  named  to  him; 
iie  acknowkidgcd  the  receipt  of  my  letter,   and  said, 
iiis  design  for  coming,  was  to  [)rocurc  material  sufTi- 
<:ient  to  bring  our  cases  into  the  (Queen's  Bench,  wliich 
he  had  no  doubt,  would  result  favorablv.     IJis  atten- 
lion  was  then  arrested  by  Mr.  Parker's  sayii]g,  that 
his  class  was  not  as  deeply  implicated  as  Mr.  Wait^s; 
and,  perhaps,  it  might  be  better  to  bring  their  cases 
up  first;  as  the  one  party  had  received  a  trial,  and  the 
olluu"  had  not.      Mr.  Uoebuck  cauglit  the  idea  at  once, 
and  desired  to  be  left  alone  with  him.    They  remained 
closeted  for  some  time,  when  he  took  his  leave  without 
farther  notice  than  merely  saying,  he  had  received  ail 
llic  in!'.)rmation  be  desired,   and  would  attend  to    the 
'•ausc    immediately — that    he  was  cramped   for    time. 
and  Mr,    \V.   would  iniurm  me    of  tlie  firiTiiiicements 
mad  >;     and    requested    that    all    the    ommaMications 
mififht  be  aiidresscd  to  Mr.  Ashurst:. 

i  have  been  thus  parlicular  in  rdatinp^  liiose  inci- 
deiils,  f »r  my  companions  from  Niagara,  wew  incli- 
ned lo  c'viVE^o  tiu;  exclusive  proceedings  that  followed. 


yj 


tiii 


¥, 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    D.    L. 


179 


to  the  designed  misrepresentations  of  Parker,  and  u 
fear  that  his  success  might  be  jeopardised  by  a  too  nu- 
merous participation  in  the  benefits  of  inquiry;  but  I 
saw,  ut  once,  the  occasion  for  it. 

The  nine  men,  among  whom  lie  was  numbered,  had 
hi^'.cn  treated  more  palpably  illegal,  than  those  of  us 
who  had  received  a  trial.  Their  sentences  were  given 
under  an  "e\  post  facto''  law,  directly  opposed  to  the 
spirit  of  the  l>ritish  code,  that  nominal  "bulwark  of  Bri- 
tish liberty,'^  viz:  the  "jury  act.''  GUI's,  too,  was  ille- 
gal and  unjust,  but  truly  not  so  undisguised;  for,  by 
ilio  lime  we  were  cnptured,  Sir  George  Arthur  had  be- 
i'.omo  somewhat  more  way-wise,  and  bt^gan  to  think  a 
little  more  plausibility  was  requisite  in  dealing  with 
the  Canadians,  thnn  witli  the  Tasmanians,  whom  lie 
iiad  hung  up  with  impunity. 

1  WHS  informed  by  Mr.  Waller,  that  it  had  been  de- 
le rmined  upon  to  apj)ly  fur  a  habeas  corpus,  under 
which  twelve  persons  were  to  bo  taken  to  London  for 
investigation  and  special  pleadings  be'bre  the  Queen's 
Ijcnch,  while  the  others  must  still  remain  in  the  custo- 
fly  of  the  governnent;  and  all  i  could  advance  against 
such  a  fatal  arrangement  availed  nothing.  However, 
Aviiatever  induced  our  common  frientfs  to  raise  this  dis- 
iniction,  I  am  quite  certain  it  resulted  detrimentally  to 
tue  excluded  party;  for  it  created,  in  the  estimation  of 
liie  government,  unfavorable  impressions  regarding 
our  cases — the  ministry  naturally  viewing  thi.';]  partial 
proceeding,  as  a  tacit  acknowledgment  of  a  total  want 
of  all  ostensible  pretext  for  den^anding  a  similar  inves- 
tigation and  favor  for  u.-;;  yet,  to  keep  up  ap})earanee-\ 


!l 


It 


! 


! 
i 


ij  t 


M 


1-4 


iy 


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fWJ 


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■•    "  •■        »■  ■■  ■ '^  ■■''  rl 


;!v 


4  i :  r' . 

J.:ill:i'  •!  : 

=4r 


180 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


we  were  all  desired  to  commit  the  particulars  of  each 
individual  case  to  paper.  For  such  purposes,  paper, 
ink,  and  quills,  were  gratuitously  supplied  by  some 
without,  who  kindly  sympathised  with  us. 

We  all,  by  advice,  unitedly  demanded  copies  of  the 
official  documents,  under  which  we  had  been  brought 
to,  and  were  still  detained  in  Liverpool.  A  dozen  co- 
pies were  taken  without  delay,  and  given  us.  It  was 
a  most  singular  instrument  indeed,  a  mere  warrant, 
drawn  up  and  signed  by  John  Colborne,  Governor  pro 
tern,  of  Lower  Can;i(Iri,  Commanding  Capt.  Digby 
Morton,  Master  of  the  barqiir  <'Capt.  Ross,"'  to  receive 
on  board,  and  carry  into  trtuispoi'tution,  the  persons 
therein  named — first  landing  thorn  where  *'we"  (the 
Queen)  liiight  deem  proper,  in  the  United  Kingdom, 
*'to  the  intent  that  they  may  be  delivered  into  the 
hands  of  some  person  duly  authorised  to  receive  them.'"'' 

The  loose,  vague,  and  slovenly  manner  in  which 
this  document  was  drawn  up,  elicited  many  pertinent 
remarks  and  observations  from  our  counsel,  and  some 
public  journalists.  Perhaps  a  more  decrepit  instru- 
ment had  never  emanated  from  the  pen  of  any  indi- 
vidual who  held  the  least  pretensions  to  legal  know- 
ledge. The  ^'recitation,  (the  only  place  in  which  we  see 
Arthur  named,)  ia  e^ctremely  deficient  in  point  of  in- 
fo rmi.tion.  The  reader  can,  in  no  wise,  discover  how 
liie  prisoners  came  into  Colbornc's  possession,  or  by 
what  authority  he  detained  them."'  It  all  appears  a 
matter  of  mere  speculation,  when  first  taken  up,  and 
so  it  leaves  it.  In  the  recitation,  Leonard  Watson's 
name  is  given,  but  does  not  again  appear,  although  all 


i:.: 


LETTERS    FROM  V.  D.   L. 


181 


the  others  (for  one  warrant  covered  the  whole  of  us) 
are  named  six  successive  times.  Ilnr]  there  been  no 
other  irreguhirity,  the  defoctivo  construction  of  this 
precept  should  have  been  sufiicicnl  reason  for  an  im- 
mediate release.  But,  with  the  British  government, 
*^mig/tt  is  rii>fif;"'  and  no  justice  is  granted  to  the  ob- 
noxious, feeble  bondsman  notwithstanding  the  great- 
est inordinate  practice. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  <kc.  6c c. 


>):■  ;«fc 


LETTER  X. 


AsHGROVE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  I).  L. 

Januarii^  1841. 


1\ 
o , 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  closed  my  last  with  some  remarks 
concerning  the  instrument  that  bore  the  title  of  a  war- 
rant, and  had  tlie  lionor  of  taking  twenty-three  poli- 
tical prisoners  from  Canada  to  Europe.  It  only  requi- 
red reading,  to  be  ridiculed,  even  by  the  comparatively 
illiterate.  In  fact,  not  only  ridiculed,  but  also  con- 
demned, as  placing  unbounded  authority  in  a  petty 
master  *bf  a  lumber  ship,  to  deal  with  us  as  his  dispo- 
sition might  dictate;  and  heaven  is  a  witness,  that  hia 
conduct  bore  no  shade  of  humanity. 

Ho,  accompanied  by  the  Liverpool  owner,  called 
upon  us,  and  apologised  for  the  publications  relative 
to  the  mutiny.  To  show  their  regard,  Mr^  Frost,  would 
undertake  to  forward,  free,  any  letters  we  might  wish 


..-T 


I 


H 


182 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   I).    L. 


t 


«';l;'^' 


""^1^!; 


to  send  to  Amoricu;  as  i\  pnckot,  willi  which  he  had 
somo  connection,  was  about  to  sail  lor  l>oslon.  Wf 
acccptc'fl  his  proflor,  and  put  in  his  hand  a  largo  num- 
ber, which  he  scut  on  board  tlio  Peinisylvaiiia  anrLSl. 
Andrews,  two  pack(  ts  tliatwcnt  dowji  in  th(^  chaiuu.'i; 
and  with  tlicni,  all  our  letters. 

Ciiristmas,  the  groat  I'iUglisli  feast  day  came,  and 
brouglit  to  us  tho  double  rations  usually  issued  in  all 
theii"  prisons;  but  we  cared  but  little  lor  their  extras, 
for  W(;  had  obtain.'d  tlie  permission  of  makijig  up  a 
sort  of  mess,  or  pudding,  from  the  relics  of  our  sea. 
stock.  Flour,  supplied  by  J.  C  Parker,  was  mixed 
into  dougli,  with  'pure  water,  then  incorporated  with  a 
portion,  still  remaining,  of  the  dried  fruit  sent  nn 
while  yet  at  Kingston,  by  a  kind  sislcr.  This  simple 
lump  boiled,  constituted  our  excclhnl  Christmas  din- 
ner; and  we  partook  of  it  with  as  hearty  a  relish  as 
we  would  have  done,  of  the  choic(>st  at  homo. 

I  mention  tliis  trifling  incident,  because  it  gave  rise 
to  a  conversation  upon  the  subject  of  England's  pau- 
[)crs,  to  which  1  listened  with  silent  horror.  AV'hilc  we 
wore  engaged  with  our  ^^pJiim  puddiniy^''  a  gentleman 
who  was  always  a  privileged  visiter,  came  in,  and  re- 
marked, that  lie  was  happy  to  find  us  so  wellcmployofl. 

**But,"  mU\  ho,  "yon  find  }  our  dinner,  no  doubt,  n  coarec  one; 
nnd,  perhaps,  the  poorcdl,  in  your  counli\,,  would  feel  Ihemeelvcs 
poor,  indeed,  if  they  wore  not  able  to  provide  a  better,  any  dny  in 
the  ycnr.  But  lot  mc  nssure  you,  that  there  nre  millions,  in  this 
land,  who  never  know  what  a  full  dinner  is,  even  of  the  coarsest 
food — who  seklom  taste  of  meat — aiul,  during  the  winter  months, 
never  partake  of  Imt  one  meal  per  day;  and  that,  perhaps,  but  a 
half  one.     In  the  course  of  my  duty,  I  have  visited  families  who 


'il 


LETTERS    FROM    N.  n.   1.. 


18M 


lie  h.'Ki 

n.    Wo 
J  iJiini- 

laillK.'i; 


i;nd  nut  ra:<(((l  Uj-m]  llir  dny-;  mil  knrw  not  \vh«'r(' to  turn  fornny. 
A  fnniino  U  now  rai;in<;  in  MrinrliPHlcr,  llint  inwhl  very  foon  w- 
-nlt  in  riwf,  lili'n.l-^licd,  and  murdor,  iiidcfs  imuirr  iiicnm  nrc  rc- 
■^■ortcd  to,  lo  nllovinte  iLio  [>rovaloiit  mifi  ry  mid  di'siitn(io?i.  In 
fiict,  Ibc  j)nii;if'r-i  of  our  whole  Innd,  nrc  in  '^  ti!n(o  but  littlo  bot- 
i>  r  tlinii  pfftrvfition.  Tlirro  arr  none,  pf^rbaina,  who  \vitnrR3  pi- 
jnuch  of  liun'an  wrrirhidn';?-',  a.-t  the  CI'Tiryninn,  itlu^  holdfl  hini- 
t-iclf  hound  to  aM'iid  tlio  couch  of  sickncpK,  and  ndininislcr  Ihc 
ouuHolaf  ions  of  r'.-■Ii^;ion  to  Ihc  dyintf,  in  tlicir  last  momenls.  Antl, 
alns!  what  a  hnrj;a.--iing  ta.-k  it  ii^,  to  fultil  the  duiirs  of  riUfdi  n  stn- 
ti'Wi!  Ilow  often  mui-it  his  h(  art  f>o  torn  hy  tlic  hcrnoH  of  nnj.Mnnh 
liolii'hoid-  in  tltc  .'IkmIs  "f  iho  sffirvins;  poor!  IIo  iinih  it  inipossi- 
hli'  to  lead  the  loiiitl  of  1  ho  cxpirinLS  '"  'he  on^iidcrnt  ion  of  a  tu- 
turo  frtalo,  wh"')  hio  oliildrcn,  (uuti'  f-hadowH  of  hunianiiy, )  arc 
niourniny  aI)out  him  for  hr'nd.  IIow  often  niui^t  ho  ro!>  IriR  own 
dear  (mo:i  of  half  liicir  wanti^,  to  adniinifftcr  a  sli^^ht  comfort  lo  th( 
•i'jfiiu  fT_jfirI_HUii'ry.nc  avarim;  and  even  then,  incur  the  chari:;o  ot 
dcnlin'Mnif  wiMi  a  cold  liandcd  chtirifif.     The  ojiprcssion  of  the 


umny,    for  llic  niiLnandi/cviicnt  of  ih'' 


few,  Is  what  hart  liranded 


England  Nvith  iiii'aiiiy.  It  i'^  ^^anf!  cold,  mcngor,  ninddcninfj, 
^vnnt!  that  caii-os  so  ninny  of  Enirlnnd'.s  sv/ijecla  yearly  to  over- 
leap the  barrier  to  crime,  and  become  ihievcH,  incendiaries,  rob- 
bers, and  murdoror;-.  It  ishun2;rr!  cruel,  mfuriatimj;  hiuigerl  thn' 
fills  our  jaiN,  p'iiiti'ntiarii'P,  and  hulk^,  to  overllowinfr,  and  ban 
iioopled,  with  uluuulonrd  ontcastH,  the  pcntil  colonics  to  which  you 
are  3cntenced,  I  liave  more  pity  for  that  man,  who  sudors  the 
exlremo  pcjialty  of  the  law  f  )r  highway  robbery,  if  it  was  but  to 
supply  hia  needy  otfsiiring  with  food,  than  for  him  Nvho  rolln,  in 
hirt  8j)Icndid  e(piipa<^'c,  to  a  sudden  end  of  horror. 

"When  I  :^cc  the  gaudy  trappings  of  rank,  and  splendor  of  rich- 
er, contra.^'ted  with  the  poor,  forlorn  beggar,  in  his  tattered  gar- 
nicntn,  and  bare  feet,  with  his  gray  locks  streaming  in  the  windf 
of  winter,  and  his  llenhless,  trembling  limbs,  scarce  bearing  him 
up/against  the  blasts,  I  cannot  close  my  eyes  upon  the  fact,  that 
these  arc  sure  indications  of  a  state  of  society,  that  must  be  chan- 
ged for  anarchy  and  blood-bhed.  If  France  has  suflered  much  on 
account  of  her  high-handed  oppression,  will  not  England  eufier  a 
thousand  times  more?  But  her  measure  is  not  yet  full. 


I ', 


1 ' 
•■( 

{,!■      !l 


MM 


^^ 


'>  .,! 


\  m ' 


f 


i;ii::' 


■A' 


'X^X 


■X  I! 


,S  -liii^iiii''- 


-■iv'/.i- 


lAi 


n 


;t> 


■''!" 


184 


LETTF.KH    J'ROM   V.    I».    f.. 


"Livcrp<Ajl  is  inorofrcc  from  the  wrctchcfl  virlur.H  of  rinnilion, 
limn,  pcrbni's,  niiy  oilier  coribidijr/iltly  cily  df  llu  United  Kingdom, 
yet  our  juila,  (two  cxton.<ivc  cditiccH,)  do  not  nlloid  room  for  ncnr 
the  whole  number  of  liclly  crii'iinnlH.  'V\\\h  hiiilding,  nlorir,  con- 
tniiis  vipwnrds  of  tbrcc  luuidrcd  n  'alt  iiinlcH,  nnrl  iwo  hundred  fc- 
junlcs;  f>nc  half  of  ^vhom  burl  n'»  olhrr  iiicc ntivc  for  the  coiii- 
mitijion  of  crinu%  tlinn  osli  atibly  to  tiiiiitly  thcinsclvoa  nnd 
fnmilit'T  uilb  foe'.  Two  hundred  I-'-yn  occupy  a  j)"rtioii,  nl>o; 
mrmy  of  whom  urc  undi'r  the  (I  •  of  tiifUl,  conuuiltod  iiivnrinbly 
f<ir  tboM;  mid  in  five  out  of  nix  cnscs,  tbcy  bnvi  been  inducted  in- 
to the  prncticcR,  by  th(;ir  own  parcnf »,  frcquciily  with  n  view  to 
their  cntrunco  here.  Tbci;c  b'ttlc  villains  woiild  surprific  you,  by 
their  agility  in  ffttting  posKCf«ion  of  prop'"rly,  •  nd  their  iii'^enuily 
ifi  secri^ting  it;  their  ncutencss  is  indevnl  worTiy  a  bettor  cnuBC. 

"Such  talca  nre  ecnrcely  to  bo  credited,  l)ut  they  nrc  true;  nnd 
misery  nnd  crime  will  still,  as  they  have  been  fjr  past  yonrs,  be  on 
the  incrcnec,  until  our  im[H)litic  government  devises  some  mcana 
to  provide  comfort  nnd  leas-  dependnnce  for  her  six  millions  of  pau- 
pers. Man  must  be  supplied  with  food,  ncceiifinry  clothing,  nnd  a 
jiropcr  .iharo  of  intdli^joncr,  bt-forc  crime  will  decrenso. 

"Our  nntiun  i^  daily  ailding  to  iicr  stores  of  knowledge,  scicfice, 
nrt,  and  individual  wenlth;  but  the  upper  grade,  nlonc,  profit  by 
them.  Though  the  meana  of  knowledge  arc  as  ubundant  ns  the 
brend  stuHo  the  soil  ])roduce;-,  yet  they  nre  to  the  poor,  still  more 
dilllcuU  to  commniul.  lias  not  England,  in  hrr  small  circle,  more 
truly  wrelched  than  all  the  remainder  of  Europe?  Ilaa  she  not 
more  infamy  and  crime  gazetted  iii  one  year,  than  America  in  ten? 
Then  why  say  that  ohe  is  the  most  honored  and  wealthy  nation  in 
the  world?  In  this  right  mcrric  OuLd  En;ilandc — the  land  ol 
matchless  beauty — of  uncommon  production — renowned  for  liilar- 
ity,  pleasure,  generosity,  charity,  nnd  philnnthropy — the  richest, 
most  po'^verful,  inlelligont,  and  fkki;  in  the  un)^  orsc — there  aro 
thousands  (iying  yearly,  from  inanition — thousands  rendered  crip- 
ples, and  truly  hideous  in  npiKarancc,  by  being,  while  too  young, 
driven,  in  a  starving  condition,  to  Inbor  incessantly,  for  twelve  or 
fourteen  hours  per  day,  at  tho  mills  or  factories,  in  a  painful  atti- 
tude, to  which  they  inevitably  fall  victims  at  a  premature  age — 
millions,  who  know  not  what  it  is  to  use  a  single  article  of  com- 


•\:l 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  I).   I. 


i8r> 


i',,rf — tbousnnd;',  whocc  couiUonniu.cH,  iVoni  t'otitiiiiio<l<lrc<tilutioii, 
eel  lie  down  inlp  n  mclniicholy  (K'j(  cttdnose;  nnd  ubnrc  npiritu 
!;n')\v  no  hilniily  or  plrfiniin — wIiohc  \vaii1«  l.ia\(,'  mcmt  brtn  rc- 
lii.vcd  !)/  the  lii'di  fcouii(liii<5  (.-IjnrilnMc,  i^ciii.'roii'H,  f-ympnllirtic.  or 
pliilnntUropu!  gentry  of  (lie  n<iv\  MilliniiH,  who  nrc  in  th(>  iniilst 
if  riches,  but  dare  not  pnrtnke,  nnd  die,  f/irniiihed,  in  tjic  t-ij^ht  of 
tunrj  of  brcnd  HluflrJ.  It  it-  true,  Ilnyland  i--  powerful,  h.tnusc  dcji- 
potic!  Bill  freedom  itj  di\^ccrfi<cd  by  being  coiiphd  with  her  pre- 
sent inftlitiUioi).',  whiehall  tend  to  op[»rr>H  the  nmny,  nnd  pnmper 
the  few. 

"I  would  net  wi-h  lo  li(^  underslood  OH  enyin;,'  thnt  fhoJc  lie 
none  whopo  nceenf  h  nro  relieved  \)y  private  charity,  or  '  iiiuitn- 
bl(.' institmionti;  I  ro  nro  millions  n\  bo  do  yearly  receive  the 

nn>(  rnblo  piUnnce  .  i  ei-ht  or  twelve  pcinee  per  w<'elv,,durin;,'  the 
winter.  I5iil  what  is  hiicTi  a  mi'm,  in  cuinpnrii^on  to  the  wnntrt  of  a 
hnnuin  hfiiiL'",  in  a  cMinlry  wli'-ro  bread  i;<  ho  dear?  1  will  rutt  f-ny 
(hnf  the  'abominable  corn  Inww*  iirodiice  all  (be  misery  pr(  vnilin;;^ 
here,  biftl  cannot  but  admil,  that  they  conduce  lar^^ely  townrd  it. 
Perhapg  you  dn  n!)t  know  thoir  operation;  1  will,  iberefore,  brielly 
e\i)luia  it:  wheat  now,  including  llieduly,  ranges  near  $*3  22  per 
bn;4iel;  nnd  .such  in  rendered  continual  by  the  hlidiu','  ncale  of 
rnfee,  which  rifco^,  nf?  wheat  falls  in  value,  ami  fulls  a^>  wheat  ri^cs. 
Now,  the  great  evil  i?,  that  IIuh  duty  d  )e3  not  find  its  way  into 
the  treaf-ury,  but  into  the  pockets  of  the  great  landlord. 

*'I  fiay,  tiie  miUiouH  are  starved,  to  gratify  the  few.  Sir  Robert 
Peel  eayf,  'it  is  the  <'on3iitutional  policy  of  Jlnglftrid,  to  rnaihlain 
tlicaTi^()craey  and  magif-lracy,  as  essential  parts  of  the  commu- 
nity;' and  that  *thc  jjrepont  cvilc  are  beyond  I'nrliamonlary  enact- 
ment.' OHicial  and  newspaper  reportw  of  the  day,  say  that,  nt 
IcaBl  one  half  the  deaths  taking  place  among  the  lower  elase,  nrc 
caused  by  a  want  of  proper  nutriment!  !  Can  we  wonder,  then, 
that  niob.s,  riots,  and  chartist  meetings  are  so  common?  Nny,  I 
ana  only  astonished  that  bloodshed  nnd  murder  is  not  more  fre- 
quent! That  every  pauper  is  not  a  thief,  robber,  or  incendiary; 
for  at  least  one  half  the  api)lieant3,  at  the  numerous  workhouses, 
and  charity  nnd  philanthropic  institutions,  arc  turned  away  unre- 
lieved. 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  872-4503 


1^0 


LETTERS    niO.M    V.    1?.    I 


^■ 


¥-' 


'1^ 


!■-: 


•i. 


''Oil,  li')\v  sfuMfiiln''-  (n  Ilio  l>o(tcr  fcMliii^s  of  ni«li — bow  siiofli- 


:ir  to  (!'. 


ii  iui;iir(\  i-< 


ill 


(•  kii(>\vl"(l'!;'' 


iIkiI  ir  tli(>  nrl)'- 


irnry  jiolicy  nf  i'.ti;  lai.'l,  i-'  iiKi'i'nildUic  ii.'ir!;.-  ;ill  tlic  iininnhilic*!!.-' 
oliiiv  C'Miiilrv  Nsi'iiii'ii  \<\ii>n  liio  ►<liiin''  oi  i>ro>ii  itiilidHj  nn'l  c^nf-c- 
iiuoiil  ilrnnkcMii"--',  tii-cn-r,  jp.I''  i''aiii.    ^^  iiul  will  iinl  filiiiviitioii 


(1(1?   AW'  Inr 
;lfi1i"n,  ni\'] 
oon(Unrv 


'II  it 


IKTllli- 


v'rl 


ii(>  nil 


1  1 


loiiur. 


iMlil 


IIIV,    (I 


rr;i- 


T 


iml;!'  lln.'  Hiiud  (li'.d  .-wliri-  ci(i/.i  II  a  r 
il 


ohiicf,  nil  in- 


le  iii't!'!!  Pi'in  n  nv  ii-um"  hi  cnmi 


a  I'lurilircr 


Til 


hold,  li.r  ."-l 
luu 


i.i; 


):;nM, 


jii  ?!)-'int,  a  '-iKakiiiij',  M'llaiiini!,^  ii' mi 
■  I  I'liii!  lM<!i(.'r.  a  (•'•  Minn,  a  liciiiciii^'!    Tli 


!   Tl 


10  lovin 


VOlC'd    M  'll 


jnli'iil,  (Ic- 
n  nnn'ilurnl  hriTi'.r,  '•  Iio'tII  i'lf'Hilri/id''!   iuid  ?( 
virtu  ■'•!-,  I'd.  !!-•■:  i'l^,  and  I)('iu'\ni;'iit  0^11 ! I ' iiini I '.',  !■:  (dif'.'i  r-'d  in'o  a 
-i'fi[)i<'l'ii  ••.  iliili   ird,  at!i(.''-;l  icrd.  d'  'nr-d-  d,  and  ciiiMiiad  I'and!" 

.Vrt'.-r  ii -I'Miiii''- to  tliv^  iVuH'iroiiiji-  t;i!r,s,  or  nitli^  r  (.'Oii- 
versatit';),  upon  ''woful  sui^J^.'cils,"  1  luid  (iuv.ii  to  re^t. 
upon  iiiv  iuiiJ  coiiidi,  inciiinM.l  to  nuii'inur /c.vv,  nt  Vv-lini 
I  too  W'  II  (]'  (MH.  i]  harsh  lrc?\lmctit  and  ill  larc;  i  was 
distrac't'Mi  wilii  the  idea  that  thousands  of  r'.']](jw-i)Liiii(s 
might  Ll;  tiU'ii  vainly  s(^('k!iiga  rcvc^rcil  rest  on  ihc  bare 
ground,  or  expiring  throU!';h  waul,  within  tho  same 
cit}'.  ]  could  iinauiiH;  1  saw  tho  d-istoidion  oi"  llioir  coun- 
tcnanC'Cs,  and  h.<ard  th<dr  (Kinu:  u'roans,  thouLrh  lliov 
wv.i'o  free,  trnd  ostcnsiljly  protected  hy  that  poirerfnl 
government  whi(di  ludd  mo  in  thraldom.  1  rcmom- 
borcd,  to(j,  the  dreary  maimer  in  which  I  had  s[)Gnt  tlie 
iiiglU  previous  to  the  la>t  anniversary,  in  making  my 
escape  from  Canada,  across  tlie  ])road  and  sweeiiing 
currcrrt  of  the  Niagara,  on  a  log  canoe,  that  v/ould 
scarcely  float,  when  I  nearly  f(dl  ;i  \ictim  to  frost  and 
extreme  cold.  1  slept  soundly,  and  dreamed  of  all  1 
had  heard,  and  a  thousand  additional  horrors,  and 
awoke  to  a  knowledge  of  my  own  unhappy  condition, 
with  a  keen  sense  of  the  loneliness  and  unprotected 


'!«fi 


r- 


LKTTFRS    FROM    V.   I).    L 


IH- 


Tj, 


ntualioii  ofinv  wife  and  r^liild.     And  if  1  over  pravcd 


with  fervor,  in  iiiv  lilo,  it  was  then,  fur  ih 


\v 


•11 


DCiDiC, 


tud  C'X(.'ni|ilion  I  i'(.»ni  v,;iiit  and   iniscrv.      (    m.ii'llian 


vor  (l''['r(.cat<(i  iii,,;  kkjh  oi   Ah 


Wail' 


coinuic:  U 


England,  and  wrolo  p(.i.si lively  {)i'nhil)iiiiin'  ji;  Itut  tha! 
k-Ucr,  l'>o,  was  I03I,  with  the  rLnn-vivania. 

Tlie  time  was  now  cuniine;  in  whifli  n\o  w .re  to 
enihark  lur  i'ortsinouth.  I  thei'olbre  niado  anoilicr 
ollbrt  to  prevent,  or,  rather,  s!iow  tiu;  la.iiaev  nt' 
creating  tlie  distinelion,  and  (sxeiiulinf;'  a  i!.';rt  (-1  the 
prisoners  iVcmi  in\-e,--ti!;'atiun.  I  exidain:\l  Id  Mr.  Wal- 
ler, tiiat  i  had  [>Te;it  inis^i\ing:3  npun  ixdng  scut  To  ino 
hulks;  fissiirinii;  hliu,  tha.t  I  i'lt  (:ert;un,  iiiat  wiieti 
]»hicc(l  on  them,  there  weidd  he  no  proi-aMliiV  01'  lea\- 
ing,  until  sent  on  the  transport  ship — that  I  had  ilea rd  so 
rnucli  ai)OUt  the  hoi'rors  e-f  tho-*^  "lloaling  prison;?,'" 
that  I  di'ead(.(l  u  residence  there,  more  than  iinni diate 
transporlalion.  \\\  w;i,s  v<;ry  an.\i(<iis  to  eoovince  ok- 
thcit  it  was  ''oiny  nervousness,""  a'uj  w;^  had  wo  reason 
to  be  untier  rippr(diensi<.)ns  conconn'ng  tli(.'  treatment 
we  sliould  receive;  as  he  would  takt-  care  that  a  prop- 
er agent  should  be  appointed,  in  rort-moulh,  to  attend 
to  our  wants.  In  i'aet,  one  liad  already  been  eii)[Moycd; 
and  he  gave  me  the  address  of  J.  \V.  (irecthain,  Es(|., 
barrister,  ^Scc;  then  added,  'di"  you  ilnd  your  abode 
less  agreeable  than  you  can  reasonably  expect,  you 
have  only  to  make  it  known  to  W.  IT.  Ashurst,  ]:]sq., 
barrister,  137,  Cheap  side,  London,  and  he  will  remove 
you  by  *hahcas  corpus,"  if  there  is  the  least  probability 
of  any  benefit  resulting."'  I  said,  1  had  no  doubt  but 
that  the  government,  since  our  friends  had  admitted  a 


!1 


i  ! 


I,' 


m 


:    Uf 


X. ' 


i' 


•Ml 


■^ 


•I    I       .       3l 


188 


i,F/rT'^;Rs   FiiOM  ^.  n.  i 


..R  vvrl 


\M'^ 


'   J'     v! 


{  • 


t^;' 


IB: 


K|..:  • 


(jistinclion,  would  ;ivail  llifin-olvcs  ol' it  as  ;\  prctcM 
lor  sfjiuliiig  us  ;i\va\  ;  lV>r  tli''  f;,*-!  ofl.cing  sunt  to  a 
liulk  williout  protest,  would,  on  our  part,  bo  nn  ac- 
kiiuwicdgnicnt  of  it-i  legality,  and  lliat  wo  considered 
onrselves  still  ''in  li-ansitu,"'  ni.irly  awniting  an  op- 
portunity of  heiiitc  ciinve\  (ul  ftn  tli_'  voyiig(\  Indeed, 
those  jirison  f-hips  were  only  rcq.ndcd  r»s  rceoptaclcs 
for  men  whose  cases  werci)(»silively  decided:  therefore, 
hcing  sent  ll.'^i'e,  was  signilicant  enough  of  what  the 
govcriHiK  nt  designed  doing  with  u--';  consequently,  I 
felt  it  a  duty  t^i  draw  up  ;i  prot(;st  against  a  removal, 
intiinatinii',  tliat  ii'  we  yielded  at  .'ill,  it  would  bo  on  tlie 
ground  of  r(7^6v//('//r?/.  This  pa[ier  was  pr'-'sented  at 
tlic  Queen's  bcncli,  when  the  Attorney  general  pledged 
his  honor,  ''that,  although  the  gu\eriMi:ent  views  them 
afi  being  in  !roi}"ilu,  none  should  Ijo  r^ent  away  until 
each  has  his  case  i!!oroui'-]d\"  investii;ated.*'  ]\Ir.  AV. 
promised  to  do  whni  lif>  could,  to  vAXvcx  a  removal  to 
London,  of  the  vyliolj  lunuber;  but  lie  fcard  it  would 
bo  imprnctienl)k>;  '-as  the  nionienl  a  man  is  placed  un- 
der a  liMbeas  corpus,  the  expense  of  his  support  falls 
uj»on  tliose  who  obtain  it.'"*  Indeed!  the  secret  was  out, 
and  I  said  no  more.  I  had  repealedly  been  informed,  tho 
feeling  was  so  strong  in  r»ur  f  ivor,  that  should  our 
liberation  be  ofi^'red  on  indenniity  or  jtail,  either  would 
immediately  b;j  forthcoming.  Tin  n,  it  was  not  philan- 
thropy, but  political  partisar.ship,  that  had  dictated  an 
intcrferance  at  all!  I  therefore  made  no  farther  strug- 
gle to  prevent  the  removal;  and  twice,  subsequently, 
refused  to  permit  my  name  to  be  added  to  those  going 

fellows, 


;pai 


my 


LKTTTJ'.S    FROM    V.   1).    L. 


180 


prctfM 

cut  to  a 

;in  ac- 

isitlcrcd 
nn  oj)- 

Indofd, 
placlcs 
re  lb  ro, 

iiat  tl)i- 
uily,    I 

^iiioval, 
on  tli'3 

ntvil  ;n 

'Icdfrod 

S  tllf'Ml 

r   until 
Jr.  W. 
oval  to 
would 
cd  un- 
't  falls 
IS  out, 
Jd,  tlio 
d  our 
ivould 
111"  kill- 
ed an 
stnig- 
!ntly, 
yo'ing 
lows, 


whose  cases  were  so  closely  joined  to  mi  no  by  simili- 
tude. 

The  vessel,  destined  to  convey  ua  to  Portsmouth, 
arrived;  but  a  clashing  between  the  or(i(?r.s  brought  by 
her,  and  some  that  had  come  by  land,  caused  a  short 
delay.  In  the  mean  time,  many  gentlemen  of  the  city 
exhibited  a  great  anxiety  to  administer  to  our  comfort, 
or  show  their  esteem,  by  some  slight  token;  but  all  the 
Ministry  'vould  permit  us  to  receive,  was  a  supply  of 
shoes,  to  all  who  iieeded  them;  Itut  few,  however, 
were  required;  consequently,  the  Niagara  prisoners 
went  away  without  having  been  much  expense^  to  these 
philanthro[)ists.  The  debt  of  gi'atilude  due  to  J)r. 
Buck,  was  augmented  by  the  present  of  a  volume  of 
evangelical  hymns,  got  up  by  himself,  in  a  splendid 
style,  most  of  them  original.  I\line  was  bound  in  a  su- 
perb manner,  and  I  still  retain  it  as  a  valuable  memen- 
to of  iiis  christian  regard. 

On  the  first  of  January,  wo  were  favored  with  so- 
ciable visits  l>om  various  gentlemen;  and  many  ladies 
made  application,  in  vain,  to  be  admitted.  1  [owever, 
they  w^ere  not  to  be  utterly  thwarted,  and  sent  ibr  me 
to  the  grated  door,  having  read  or  heard  of  Mrs. 
Wait's  successful  application  at  Quebec.  I  found  a 
considerable  number  collected,  and  had  the  honor  of  a 
short  conversation  with  one  who  had  been  a  *'Lady 
Mayoress.'^  They  were  all  very  richly  attired,  and 
betrayed  the  utmost  curiosity  and  sympathy,  as  well 
as  an  immense  degree  of  ignorance  upon  Canadian 
matters  and  inhabitants.  The  conversation  turned,  of 
course,  upon  my  wife's  conduct;  and  I  felt  high  plea- 


IS; 


:'!' 


'  i< 

f  • 

,.     t 
;    I      1 

■ 

v 

i 

IV' 

1 

k 

w 

190 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


I  I 


i     • 


•I- 

t  ■•^;^f  .;•  ■• 


sure  in  listening  to  their  comments.  Indeed,  they 
were  extravagant;  and  2)romlsed  "as  great  success  to 
lier  endeavors,  as  the  most  ardent  mind  could  antici- 
pate, if  she  really  did  cc^nc  to  England;*'  and  should 
she  land  at  Liverpool,  she  should  have  their  protec- 
tion and  assistance,  in  every  possihie  shape;  and  I 
miglit  be  assured  that  would  not  be  slight.  They  re- 
ceived my  gratiturle,  witii  a  lew  paper  mementoes,  and 
roliri'd  from  the  door,  leaving  me  to  return  lo  the  cn- 
joyjiient  of  my  prison  associates.  ^ 

Hut  here  1  will  close,  and  bid  you  adieu. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  &c.  &c. 


LETTER  XI. 

Asu(;ri0VF,  near  Oatlands,   V.  I).  L. 

FchriKiri/,  184L 
To , 

My  Dear  .Sir:  1  believe  my  last  letter  endc.'d  with  a 
scene  at  the  door  of  tlu*  Liverpool  borough  jail,  i)e- 
tween  some  iiniou^  ladies,  and  your  equally  curious 
humble 'orvant.  The  assuriinecs  tli^y  ^[[vc  me,  of  ex- 
tending tlie  kind  hnnd  of  protection  and  assistance  to 
my  bereaved  wiu',  in  case  of  her  landing  there,  did 
my  heart  good;  and  made  me  regret  ha\  ing  thus  hastily 
written  lo  her  so  disparagingly  ol'the  attempt;  for  these 
sympatholie  f(  (dings  satisfied  me,  that  the  object  of  her 
mission,  and  the  generosity  and  benevolence  ol'  her 
motives,  would  ensure  her  an  enthusiastic  reception. 


■■t- 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


191 


1  do  not  know  as  1  have  ever  received  any  expressions, 
liuit  have  sent  to  my  hart  a  greater  liirill  of  j)urc  de- 
light, or  sensations  of  inorc  grateful  j)leasur(',  than  tliat 
very  trifling  scene.  It  was,  in  my  miiid,  llie  very 
Iiarbinger  of  her  success;  and  it  did  more  than  ail  else, 
to  determine  me  to  hear  up  under  every  succession  of 
misfortune  that  might  approach  me. 

'J'he  following  is  a  copy  of  what  was  entered  into 
the  diary  of  J.  (i.  Parker,  for  January  the  Jth,  IS^U, 
eoj)ied  and  inserted  since  my  return. 

"At  (lii\liiihl  Ihe  nildin'i  of  cbtiini^  jiiiiioiini'cfi  lo  iih,  tliiif  lliu 
(  icvon  iniroiuTri  \v{  ro  liciiiii'  jm  iKiicii  i<i  ('iMliiuk  liir  r<i!  itinoulb. 
Tlieir  rliniiii-i  \\(  ic  risrlcd  on  llicm,  n^  well  n.-s  on  lli<^  clcvi  n  ctui- 
vit'lp  lidin  (iiiflx'C.  Alter  dinnrr  tlioy  went  on  IjojirJ — Dr.  I'uck 
iinvinir  pre\i(  "isly  prnyod  with  uk — nnd  the  h<>|innil  ion  wtx^i  nllocl- 
inff,  ns  their  Icnvint,'  was  under  iipprehciiKion  thai  ih(  y  nhoitld  not 
sceusngfiiM.  J)r.  15iick  i^aw  thcin  on  buariMhe  JNIcieor,  (which 
If:  bill  n  .^iMiiU  seshcl,)  and  liu.'  (Jovenior  Kpuke  to  ibc  Ca|)tain  of 
ibc  fileniner  of  the  irood  condiiel  ol"  the  pri  •onerH  while  in  bi^  eii8- 
tody.  Afler  the  twenty-two  pert'on.H  were  ijjoiio,  we  tldt  (piitc 
Ittnerionir." 

Indeerl,  the  "separaticjn  was  allt'Cting:"'  for  when 
w(»  had  lieen  reinvr.'sted  with  our  old  aei|naintances, 
.Old  ranked  u[)  for  a  slnrf,  those  \\iio  were  to  remain 
itehind,*  lined  the  hall  near  the  door  of  our  egress, 
n-ith  Dr.  P)Uck  at  their  iK-a*!,  they  wrung  our  hands  with 
t(?;irl\il  eves,  and  iiiaiix'  a  "(Ind  hb-ss  nou,'"  v.hile  th(~\' 
assured  us  they  would  correspond  with,  aiiil  inform  us 
of  wh[it  i)assed  with  them,  if  i>crini!l('(l.  'i'l"*  gene- 
rous Dr.  ill  his  usual  bland,  atieefionate  \\\u\\[\  r,  strove 
to  direct  our  minds  "lo'strong  hopes  m,   niid   iiiiu   re- 

*'.M(f-rrs.  ^Vi.\o^.  Watnon,  Park'-r,  Jinltoi:),  jMaleohn.  ]irown. 
AI\en,  \N  ahs-er.  Ainlerson,  Milkr,  Clran<,  and  Reynold-. 


•■■r — 


1* 

I  i 

.    1 

1 

I   1 

I 

•  I 


'i: 


l-<^ 


I.  ^- 


1 '. '  'i '. 


f 
I' 


■ii^i: 


^    I. 


,'J<, 


n 


102 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   U.   L. 


liancc  on  Isracr.s  covenant  God,  who  would  relieve  the 
weary  soul,  and  release  the  confiding  prisoner."  lie 
shook  our  only  unsiiackled  liand  (fur  haiidcuHs,  as  be- 
fore, had  been  replaced  with  the  chains,)  and  put  in 
mine,  a  pocket  comb,  which  I  still  retain,  as  a  sacred 
memento  of  the  **one  good  man.'"  He  also  gave  mc 
a  letter*  of  commendation,  that  has  frequently,  since, 
been  the  cause  of  considerable  respect  and  ameliorating 
circumstances. 

Carraiges  awaited  us  at  the  door,  info  which  we  got, 
and  were  treated  with  a  drive  throuR;h  the  fine  cifv, 
in  view  of  splendid  edifice;^,  down  to  the  dock  where 
the  *O.Ieleor,'''  a  small  steam  frigate  lay  ready  to  re- 
ceive us. 

It  was  about  half-past  three  P.  M.  when  wet  embar- 
ked, and  were  conducted  to  the  bow  cabin,  just  vacated 
by  the  marines,  where  we  found  all  our  baggage,  with 
abed  each,  wooden  trencher  bowl  and  spoons.     Dr. 

*  Liccrpool  Born}njh  jail,  I 

December  '28,  fr!l58.  \ 
Dcnr  Sir:  I  cnn  linvo  no  diificiihy  in  e:qirci=Kin<^  my  npprobn- 
tioii  of  tlif?  coiidiu'l  Lninced  by  yon,  find  llio  oilier  prieonertJ,  while 
you  have  Ixcn  unluiiipily  conliiiL'd  within  (iu,'eo  wnlls. 

I  trupt  you  will  have  ihnt  supiiorL  which  Iruo  religion  can  nlonc 
affirdyoii:  nnd  ihnt,  wherever  your  lot  nmy  be  cast,  you  will  ever 
realize  Isrn<  i'^  Cincnant  God. 

1  niont  aircctionalely  (Muimcnd  you  to  the  grace  of  CJod,  and  to 
the  Christi.'in  t-yuijiaMiy  (*f  my  brctlu'i  n  in  the  minifitry  whom  you 
may  meet.  My  prayera  and  my  beat  wishes  for  youri-'clveo,  your 
wivc^•,  and  your  chihhcn. 

Believe  mo  yourp,  very  rcppeclfidlv, 

JOHN  BUCK,  b.  C.  L. 

Chaplain. 
Mr.  Bonjamin  Wait. 

tMesers.  McLeod,  Wait,  Wagr^oncr,  Chandler,  Gemmel,  Mc- 
Nidty,  Vernon,  Malkry,  Cooley,  VauCau)p,  and  Beemer. 


i,r.TTi:no  riu»M   v.  :).  r.. 


\\):\ 


Ruck,  an<l  Mr.  I'.nclicldor,  (the  governor)  with  the  com- 
?nnn;lor  camo  in  iiniiKHliatclv  whf^ii  wo  \\>\vo  counted, 
and  a  list  oroiir  names  given.  'I'h(j  Governor  n^porlcd 
an  oxtro ordinary  good  eiiaractrr  ibr  the  sfnto  prison- 
ers, and  roeonim'Mided  them  to  llio  e--[)cciLil  favor  of 
the  olliccrs — tluii  i)id  ns  a  pl'-asuraido  pi'sstjge,  and 
fipecdy  r^'leasc  from  impri^jonmcnt,  and  lelired.  'JMn; 
]">r.  ngain  iin}»fTrted  excellent  advice,  and  hid  us  adieu, 
wilii  a  parting  prayer. 

About  0  1'.  }>{.  tli'j  pti"ira  \\'a';  ,r;ot  up,  \]\q  moorings 
looseil,  and  th  >  fi !";■•.!  •  p'lt  i;nd''r  vny  for  the  sea, 
;iscniust  .'i  heid  v.ii-.d,  h.-  whl.  Ii  v/(!  wcie  twice  fore(ul 
iiack  hel'drc  we  inado  g.)od  our  oiling.  Tho  morning 
of  the  fifth,  found  ur;  ahnosf  a  wrccl:,  laboring  heavily 
m  an  increasing  g^le,  oil'  CjiU  hnrl)or,  which  we 
attempted,  but  fjund  impr:ielicablo»  after  the  whole  day 
ipcnt  fniitl.'ssly.  'j'ho  eonnnand'M'  then  dcmicd  it  ne- 
cessary to  hear  awav  for  ]lolvh'\ad,  ^\bel•e  we  rode  olV 
and  on  for  the  night,  not  daring  to  enter  wilhout  a  pilot; 
and  signal;}  for  one  in  tlic  morning,  were  oidy  answered 
!>y  counter  signals  l(j  Iccop  oil".  Our  cn«o  Vvas  now  despe- 
rate, anfl  ON iTv  moment  becoming  woj  :;  the  engine 
was  disabled  and  stopprd;  tlie  wheel  hous:  i,  i)Uiwarks, 
binacles  and  comj)asses  were  all  swejit  away;  the  boats 
were  destroyed,  and  no  cliance  1  'ft  for  escape,  but  to 
run  again  for  Liverpool,  under  almo.  t  bare  poles;  for 
but  one  sail  was  remaining,  tho  ollr'rs  having  l)een 
ohredded  to  ribbons  by  the  force  of  tho  wind. 

It  was,  indeed,  no  easy  matter  to  re-enter  Liverpool, 

•without  a  single  channel  mark,  buoy,  or  light,  to  guiii<.' 

our  course;  all  having  been   displaced,   and  the  light 


\ 


<}^ 


%  ■•, 


X:'\\ 


\  I  ii 


'.  ' 


!■ 


h^ 


ISH 


LKTIIUS    rilO.M    V.   1).    I,. 


t 


I  1 


'  I 


<  *'' 


V  !«• 


<». 


>• ;  IV 


<.* 


1- 


-i:.^: 


j  'i! 


sliij)  driven  in;  but  tliore  wiis  no  alternative;  the  com- 
Diandi-r  look  tliu  wliccl  and  <lrovo  for  tlio  mouth  of  the 
Mersey,  guided  hy  tlie  wrecks  that  liiud  each  bank  of 
tiie  ehannci,  shown  by  the  vivid  hglitin'ii^^^'s  gleam, 
lliat  at  intervals  exhibited  the  fell  destruclion  that  sur- 
rt)unded  us.  Tiie  night  was  uthcrsvisc  excessively  dark 
an  1  murky.  At  length,  near  midnight  of  the  7lh,  we 
re-entered  the  river,  and  cast  anchor  oj)|K».sitc  the  city, 
almost  a  complete  wreck,  al'ier  liaving  encountered 
such  imminent  danger,  and  witnessed  so  many  wrecks 
and  deaths. 

During  the  three  days  and  two  nights  wo  were  thus 
"riding  the  gale,"  our  erihin  was  utterly  daikc^ned;  the 
lar^e  sli\  i)L»lit  beim^  canvassetl  over  and  battened 
down;  which,  hov.ever,  did  jiot  exelu  !e  the  water  that 
at  every  succ-jcding  wave  poured  (lo\vJi  upon  us  in  tor- 
rents, and  not  only  (Iienehed  us,  but  set  our  beds 
afloat,  th"-'  cabin  deck  being  our  only  berths.  Not  a 
mnn  nmom^  us  vais  Tree  iVom  violeiJt  s'ca  sickness. 
Our  situation  can  be  ertsier  iumgined  than  drscribeu; 
and  it  may  readily  bo  conceded  that  v,e  needed,  or,  at 
least,  received,  no  food  during  these  days  of  misery. 
Jt  is,  indeed,  hard  to  coiifcirc  the  wretched  appear- 
ance we  made,  when  we  first  emerged  i'rom  that  sink, 
and  the  horrid  stench  that  arose  from  the  cabin,  when 
the  sky  light  was  first  unbiittcned.  The  marines  who 
did  it,  swore  they  never  had  experienced  any  thing 
iiulf  so  nauseous.  Vet  no  bdame  could  be  attached  to 
ihe  commander  or  any  of  the  officers;  for  it  would 
scarcely  be  supposed  that  they  could  pay  much  regard 
to  us,   when  the  whole  ship,  lives,  and  every   thing, 


m 


i- 


l.KFTr.iie?    KR<»\I    V.    I).    L. 


1 1)5 


coin- 


were  in  sucli  ininiinciil  ji.opurily.  Much  credit  ia  even 
due  lliom,  for  tlujir  inlnpid  inanngcment;  nnd  endless 
gralilLide  is  due  llio  Almiglily,  I'or  again  l*iinging  us 
to  port,  through  f:v«M-\-  \  ioissltudo  and  .sulL-riiig,  wiiile 
nmny  .sliip.s  wcm  v- rechiiig,  and  hundreds  ul'  lellow 
cr^'aturcH  wore  sin!;iiig  to  n  watery  grave  in  our  sight. 

On  going  on  board,  Iwi-Lcod  ^vas  my  yoLc-Jc/Zuiv: 
hut  wc  werc  soon  scjK'iaN  u,  in  confsc  (juence  oi'  my  ill 
liealth;  and  the  cliains  were  taken  oil' my  leg  entirely. 
My  comj)laint  warj  a  chronic  onr-,  tiio  \irulenco  (>(' 
whicli,  at  tiiat  tim  ^,  wa  ;  auginonted  by  a  pulmonary 
altac^U;  and  ^hcn  wv  i.  Inrncd  to  po;-t,  the  marine  sur- 
geon dcenkd  it  necc.  iiry  to  have  as:.^i,stant  advice.  Dr. 
Archor,  tlicrelurc,  came  on  board,  nccomj)anied  by 
anotlier  medical  g^nllomau,  Vvha  proceeded  to  examine 
my  (die^l,  broast,  rud  .siil;;s,  with  a  stethoscope,  and 
pronoun2ed  it  nocc.';t;ary  to  remove  mc  to  the  shore, 
V  hero  I  might  join  my  other  comjianions,  and  go  to 
liondon  by  land.  Tlii.;  advice  arose  from  a  benevo- 
lent nnxh'ty  to  befriend  me,  and  I  thanked  them  for  it, 
but  d"?clin:'d  accc  jUing,  from  a  v.i.di  to  remain  with, 
and  rdiarc  the  fortune  of  my  j)rcs^.nl  companions, 
knowing  that  my  r:;rvicos,  in  \,rilii)5r,  would  soon  bo 
necessary. 

Dr.  Duck  came  olf,  al.o,  and  brought  a  slip  from 
one  of  the  presses,  containing  a  detail  of  many  of 
the  wrecks,  with  the  lo-s  of  life  and  destruction  of 
proj)crly,  on  shore,  as  wcdl  as  at  sea. 

The  Pennsylvania  and  vSt.  Andrew's  Packets,  bound 
for  America,  filled  with  omigranls  and  ])assengcrs, 
wore  stranded,  and  went  to  pieces — only  one  man  be- 


.■it 


:* 


M.  . 


,\f 


I  !^ 


r 


ii. 


1  '..! 


■+ 1 

.    't  ■ 


■is' 


m 


• 


I  no 


LKTIKKH    FUOM    V.   I).    I,. 


k^ 


:%': 


:(• 


:t    It 


-"      .  . 


4  •• 


•'! 


^1  'i! 


ing  .saved  from  the  1\,  wliilo  of  tlio  passengers  on  tlio 
St.  Andrews,  more,  providentially,  were  preserved. 
The  DrotlKM's,  and  liockwood,  two  oilier  I'ackets,  just 
entering  tli'-  ehanncl,  sli;ired  lli<' same  fato,  with  near- 
ly all  their  crews  and  passengers;  while  a  vast  numher 
of  smaller  erafts  were  totally  sW!\llowed  up,  with  all 
hands,  involving  the  destruction  oC  an  immense  amount 
of  properly,  and  the  loss  of  wcNeral  hundreds  of  hutnan 
lives.  Tlie  ea.«5l  shore  of  the  channtd  wa.s  literally 
strewn  with  dead  bodies,  goods  ami  properly,  and  pie- 
ces of  wrecks.  The  detail  was  shocking,  to  a  pain- 
ful degree;  and,  nlthough  our  own  (^scape  hjd  been 
indeed  a  miraculous  one,  v.hen  I  linished  reading  there 
was  not  a  (h*y  eye  among  us,  nor  a  heart  that  did  not 
bleed  for  the  nu'sfortunes  of  others.  T'rom  one  of  the 
wrcekf?,  some  of  the  passengers  were  taken  by  a  life 
boat,  and  many  drowned  in  attem[>ts  to  escape.  One 
gentleman  refused,  when  an  opporlimiiy  olF-red,  to 
leave  the  ship,  because  his  wife  could  not  be  lound — 
choosing  rather  to  stay  and  die  willi  )ier,  than  to  live, 
uncertain  of  her  fate.  He  found  her,  and  they  both 
spent  a  night  of  horrors,  in  momentary  expectation  of 
death;  but  were,  ])rovi()entialIy,  both  found  alive  on 
the  followins:  movninT,  the  onlv  surviviut!;  beings  on 
board.  There  was  true,  genuine,  close  attachment, 
equal  to  other  I  wot  of.  A  leather  and  son  weu'e  found 
on  the  beach,  clasped  in  each  other's  arms — a  husband, 
wife,  and  daughter,  lashed  tocether  Mith  hfiudkerchiel's 


and  shawls — a  brother  and  sister  in  a  last  enduri 


"g 


embrace;  and  mothers  and  childrrin  were  found  as  if 
they  had    clung   to   each   other    in    vain   for   mutual 


LKTrhns  riioM  \.  d.  i,. 


107 


protc'Ctinii.  TIk;  piciurc  wns  rcpl'  Ic  wiih  honor  and 
lionrt-iviulin,!:' sensation;-:  but,  alil  how  nianv  thoiisaiul 
times  more  l.im  ulaMu  must  iIkj  ival  f-iicctaclc  have 
l)rpn!  'IMi-  (!.,val.i!i<»ii  war;  not  f:onrm"il  to  Iho  channel 
and  .sea;  Tor  miicli  of  iho  .shii)[M!ig  in  the  harbor  and 
docks  siiir.' red  mul  ri'il  damagf^,  wliilc  many  lives,  and 
nnich  properly,  va  re  d*  .stroynl  in  liio  city  of  Liver- 
pool, and  ill'.'  afli'if'-nt  counlrv,  1)\  ihc  total  di;niolition 
of  ihouyniid.j  of  chiiiii!',  ys,  sli  t  plLb',  ami  even  houses. 
Many  .slati  ly  <  Im  •,  tl:at  had  hra.cd  the  storms  vC  past 
uf^r,  \v.  r-'  tirn  up  liy  ih?  root/,  and  tiirowu  to  the 
earili,  !•  rriblu  t^i.-cn  ;  of  th';  Ibrce  of  tho  tornado,  that 
liad  n"\c'r,  on  th  )•::  coast^.^,  its  parallel.  Ali.  !  the 
mutaltilitv  ol'all  tliiurrs  earlhlv! 

After  some  cvsontial  r«'i>air.^,  we  again  hoisted  anchor, 
with  a  tolerable  merry  *'yo-heavc-o,''und  put  out,  witii 
a  gentle  breeze,  though  high  sea,  about  noon  of  the 
lllh  of  January. 

The  oiitrast  between  this  egress  from,  and  the  last 
entrance  to  the  harbor,  was  trul)  very  great.  Then, 
the  whole  firmament  was  darkened  with  the  fearful 
gale,  and  nothing  but  scenes  of  dcvastatieii  were  visi- 
ble; but  now  the  sun  shone  brightly  out,  and  our  gal- 
lant little  frigate  rode  cahidy  onward,  as  if  there  had 
been  no  gloomy  convulsions,  no  frightful  dangers,  and 
no  violent  ;.4ruggles  of  nature  so  recently.  The  channel 
buoys  were  all  replaced,  the  light  ship  was  again  at  its 
post,  and  every  thing  e.\hil)ited  a  careful  restoration 
of  safety  and  quiet,  though  there  were  still  remaining 
a  thousand  melaneholv  traces  of  the  recent  hurricane — 
the  shore  lined  with  living  beings  searching  for  lost 


'^1 


"I; 


ii^ 


'   ;.i 


-^^S-"^' 


"TTrrt 


h;^ 


.1'.  t' 


198 


LETTERS    1  TvOM    V.   D.    L. 


n-  4}  '• 


„f:;;,r-' 


llr- 

,  i  t-f -^ 

■^i 

il . 

S.!i 

^f.-^! 

r^ 

'  t[  .i- 

;;      1 

■  I,*  ■  ■ 

i«-^-/^v 


1!  f^*: 


i;t; 


■  « 


property;  and  the  hulls  of  several  ships  were  still  visihio. 
1  was  prcmitted,  l»y  the  very  kiiul  coininailer,  lieu- 
tenant Pritchard,  to  remain  on  dock;  and  as  wc  passed 
out,  he  pointod  to  thf;  tiniher.-^  of  a  v-  ssel  llicn  occasion- 
ally scon,  and  said,  "lh(;ro  i-j  al!  liiat  cnn  l;o  discovord 
d'an  American  linor,  [Ihc  Tlrf-ili^-v;;  or  IVnnsylvania,  i 
now  forget  which;  Iiowover  UA'a  w. :r>j  v/rcckod  near 
each  other,]  tliat  I  saw  g<'in(^  to  iiicoes,  and  froni 
which  1  was  .snpjilicated,  hv  in(3re  than  a  hundred  voi- 
ces, in  the  most  h.cart  rcndiii!^'  t'Uics,  to  n-ndor  assis- 
tancc,  which  I  v.as  compelled  tu  pas.i  hy  unregarded; 
for,  ]\ad  it  heen  in  iny  pcucr  to  liase  saved  them,  I 
should  r\ot  have  dared  to  do  it.  Dv  rrnderinfj;  Ihcm  as- 
sistance,  and  endanr^erinc;  ^■our  lives,  and  riskinix  vour 
escape,  would  h.avc  been  placing  my  commission,  my 
freedom,  and  even  my  life,  and  tlrjn  by  the  support  of 
my  numerous  family,  in  jeopardy.*' 

Ho  conversed  freely  ujioji  the  subject  of  Canadian 
troubles,  of  our  position  and  probable  fate,  and  o^  his 
own  life,  circumstances,  and  fami!v.  T>ik.'  nutnv  other 
English  gentlemen  I  have  since  m;t,  Ik^  connuiseratcd 
our  misfortunes,  and  hoped  we  mifjlit  be  permUted  to 
return  to  our  homes.  "Your  treason,  no  doubt,''  gaid 
he,  *'  proceeded  from  mistaken  virtu.^,  and  tliercfbro 
it  cannot  be  considered  as  di^-^c^racins;  or  unfittinfr  you 
for  society  or  trust:  though  doubtless,  in  our  opinion, 
as  Englishmen,  it  is  highly  culpable  and  oflensive. 
Yet  I  do  not  deny  that  our  government  is  arbitrary,  or, 
at  least,  partial;  of  which  I  am  in  myself  a  sad  proof. 
These  wounds,"  exhibiting  a  disabled  hand,  and  a  sa- 
bre cut  across  the  face,  **were  received  in  her  service, 


I-ETTKRS    FROM    V.    U.    L. 


I9l> 


1  rom 
(1  voi- 


on  tlio  deck  of  NcIf^oh's  lla^^  ship,  wliero  I  lought  in 
the;  capacity  oi'  a  juui;)i'  Lieutenant,  ihongh  quite 
young;  1  iiavc  over  since  hocn  in  active  omployment; 
ind(^'Ml,  my  family  wouhl  have  starved  without  it,  and 

tflOUfifll 


O' 


{  ani  still  no  h'^.;i:cr  ifuai  a  senior  LlcxUcnan'^  a! 

{  have  repcatevlly  ft!)taincd  h.onorahlo  commendations, 

(cm  pi 


y 


junc 

1, 


ls,)C 


I )  1'  w 


hat 


\va- 


d  ' 


meu  'fja.iian 


it  and 


meri- 


torious con(iuet 


7  .•? 


I 


ai'o  not  repeat  any  more  oi  In 


conversation,    lor  'ivwv  of  evi!  consequences  to  iiim; 


for 


wore  r;oi(iior 


irui 


Ityof 


r 


OOi 


nJ  in  aetivtj 


to  b 


m 


unlin.^-  in  political  eountor  lo  \.\\o.  ruling  pow- 


ers, or  ceiisiu'o  a    •n\) 


•lOi 


e  mdu'it,   "jv  ll:c  Irws  of 


his  service,  lie  is  di-crraced  while  the  lu'oad  of  hir;  fam- 


ilv  is  takc-i  h'nm  tiK'm. 


Tl 


ilr'  v/as  not  tho  cniv  o 


•  III  CO] 


of  the  kind,  who  ^^  attaeh.uient  lo  th.?  service  of"  their 
country  I  have  found  ';eld  only  by  the  brittle  thread  of 
interest,  and  \A\o  would  chanQ-o  the  moment  thev  had 
an  opportunity.  I  have  frequently  l-cen  struck  with 
astonishment,  at  the  idiia  of  these  poor  irien  periling 


th 


leir   lives  in   t!i 


ui 


ppo 


•t  of 


go 


vernnieiJt  that    so 


deeply  slights  and  tyrannises  over  them,  giving  them 
pay  that  is  barely  suHicient  ibr  sustenance,  while  it 
expects  them  to  maintain  a  state,  ar  rather  an  appear- 
ance of  gentlemanly 'Wealth  and  grandeur.  • 
I  was  highl)^  gratified  with  the  humanity  of  the 
commander,  and  enjoyed  the  fine  prospect  alli^rdcd  by 
a  view  of  the  bold  and  rocky  shores  of  the  ''land's 
end"  of  England,  close  to  which  our  boat  * 'steamed 
rapidly"  past.  We  sailed  very  near  **Plymoutli  har- 
bor,"' where  Lieutenant  Pritchard's  family  resided; 
that  brought  fresh  recollections  to  his  mind,  ajid  gave 


■I   ! 


i     !■ 


j  ;i^ 


■,!!(  I 


'  <. 


^^ 


I  i 


.1  ', 

•    >  • 


IT      J 


f.5;'- 

m 


V'"'m 


;::. 


#l^-; 


^fi:' J 


^)!M, 


4 


■i-5  ■; 


r^» 


"200 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


rise  to  now  conversations,  tliat  did  lionor  to  him  as  a 
father,  liusbcmd,  and  friend. 

Just  beiorc  entering  Portynioutli,  Ijy  the  unanimous 
request  of  my  companions,  I  adiiressed  to  Mr.  Pritch- 
ard  a  note  expressive  of  our  dv^ep  regard  lor  his  unva- 
ried humanity,  and  tho  inlropid  conduct  ho  manifested 
during  tlio  hitc  gale,  which  v/c  begged  lie  would  re- 
ceive as  the  only  means  in  our  };o\ver  of  expressing 
our  gratitude.  It  was  a  duty  we  owed  his  merit,  and 
would  feel  honored  by  his  acceptance.  He  received 
it  with  evident  satisfactioji  and  pleasure,  and  said  he 
would  "long  retain  it,  as  a  mcmeniu  of  more  value  than 
the  applause  of  the  rich  or  the  powerl'ul.'' 

Wo  also  desired  he  woiiu]  request  the  autiiorities. 
into  whose  hands  he  would  place  us,  to  permit  us  to 
occupy  some  room  distiijct  from  the  general  gangs. 
lie  promised  to  comply,  and  vvhen  Vvc  had  landed  ho 
informed  mo  that  he  had  done  so  successiully. 

About  two  P.  i\I.  of  the  lOth,  v,g  moored  to  the  dock 
in  Portsmouth,  and  proceeded  directly  to  the  Levia- 
than, a  mammoth  hulk  lying  close  to  an  immense  dock 
yard,  where  most  of  the  numerous  convicts  of  this 
station  were  employed.  While  there  we  were  visited 
by  several  oflieers  of  the  navy,  v/hosc  curiosity  sug- 
gested many  questions  connected  with  our  cases  and 
the  Canadian  grievances,  which  v/e  cautiously  an- 
swered, not  willing  to  satisfy  impertinence  at  the  ex- 
pense of  discretion. 

Sir  Philip  Durham,  Admiral  of  the  station,  accom- 
panied by  Lieut.  Pritchard,  apj^roached  us,  when  i 
was  named  as  "the  man  whose  life  had  been  saved  bv 


*!».  :. 


{     ; 

:  ill. 


urn  as  a 

inimous 
Pritch- 

y  unva- 
iiifcslod 
)'ald  ro- 
u'essing 
rit,  and 
cccivcd 
said  he 
uo  than 

lorities. 

it  us  to 

gangs. 

,dcd  ho 

m 

ic  dock 
Levia- 

30  dock 
of  this 
visited 
ty  siig- 
•cs  and 
;ly  an- 
tlic  ex- 

[icconi- 
vhcn  1 
ved  bv 


LETTERS    FRO:\I    V.   D.   L. 


201 


tiie  unparalleled  conduct  of  his  wife,  who  had  made  a 
journey  of  seven  huudrod  miles,  to  present,  personally, 
her  petitions  to  his  Lordsliip,  the  I'^arl  of  Durham.'' 

Sir  Pliillip  informed  me  at  once,  tiiat  the  Earl  was 
a  brother  of  his,  whose  administration,  ho  was  higldy 
gratified  to  learn,  had  given  unusual  satisfaction  to 
the  Canadian  people,  ilo  s[)o]:e  of  his  brother's  ele- 
vatc^d  character  as  a  statesman,  counsellor,  and  libera! 
politician;  and  was  sorry  sucli  baneful  conduct  had 
been  exhibited  by  the  ministry,  as  lo  cause  his  resig- 
nation of  a  government  vvhich  had  already  exhibited 
some  felicitous  eliects,  and  who::^e  most  prominent  fea- 
tures had  been  gen>:rous  humanity,  lie  honed  the; 
reconciliatory  |)oliey  recommended  by  his  Lordshij) 
would  be  critlcnlly  torjtcd,  for  not  until  then  could  his 
services  be  fully  appreciated.  Kvery  sentiment  ex- 
pressed by  Sir  Phillip  on  this  point,  found  a  respon- 
sive feeling  in  my  breast,  and  I  too  hoped  liis  latter 
policy  might  obtain  a  lull  and  pro})er  trial;  for  I  real- 
ly anticipated  much  present  benefit  from  it  for  the 
Canadus,  the  Upper  at  least. 

He  expressed  himself  heartily  glad  that  we  had 
manifested  a  desire  to  keep  as  far  as  possible  from 
other  prisoners,  whom,  generally  speaking,  we  would 
always  find  a  ^'•set  of  infamous  wretches,  whoso  im- 
morality, obscenity,  and  common  vicious  propensities, 
could  not  be  held  in  too  great  abhorrence,  and  which 
must  inevitably  reflect  disgrace  upon  every  associate.*' 
He  sincerely  desired  we  would  continue  to  maintain 
Buch  a  feeling,  and  show  ourselves  worthy  the  com- 
miseration so  universally  exhibited.     "In  this  hulk,'' 


'if  [ 


K''%^".' 


M 


!(■ 


^xissamsttl 


202 


LETTMIIS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


I-. 


i  ■•■  r:;,\f 


)-,<• 


■    ■  i' 


said  ho,  ''wlioro  tho  worst  of  ICnglaml's  criiniiials  arc 
confined,  you  v/oidd  not,  it*  you  roccive  their  ouui  tale, 
lind  ouo  man  guilty  of  tho  siiglitost  [)unis]ial)Ioofibncc.'''' 
lie  highly  comnK'>ndc(l  tho  strenuous  ollbrts  made  in 
London,  by  the  imitcd  abilities  of  so  many  great 
minds,  but  ho  feared  it  might  all  bo  attributable  to  par- 
ty purposes. 

I\iy  coneoptions  of  t!io  Vv- role  bed  ucss  existing  on 
board  those  hulks,  were  in  no  manner  diminished  by 
tlie  description  given  by  t;ie  Admiral,  or  tho  haggard 
and  ludicrous  appcaraiice  of  th;;  iev/  bnings,  who,  in 
tho  discharge  of  tiieir  duty,  had  passed,  us;  and  I  be- 
gan to  djspond  at  the  idea  of  becoming  a  settled  resi- 
dent tmd  realizing  tlio  character  invariably  given  to 
those  great  floating  prisons,  'i'ho  boat  that  came 
to  convey  us  away  was  veporlvd,  and  wo  went  on 
board,  after  bidding  adieu  to  t!io  yoil  of  England,  upon 
which  Vv'O  v.ero  nevv.'r  ar^ain  to  set  foot. 

We  arrived  at  the  York  about  four,  rov/ed  by  a  set 
of  wretched  looking  convicts,  and  mounted  its  side 
with  a  deep  gloom,  a  rnelanchol}^  foreboding,  a  sad 
heaviness  of  heart,  that  I  coultl  not  hope  to  have  dis- 
pelled by  the  reception  within  its  interior.  We  stood 
at  last  upon  the  quarter  deck,  whither  our  baggage 
soon  followed.  Its  quantity  evidently  surprised  tho 
ofiicers  v.dio  stood  there;  and,  no  doubt,  they  already, 
in  fancy,  enjoyed  the  plunder  of  it,  which  they  after- 
wards actually  perpetrated. 

The  commander,  Mr.  Nicholson,  in  liis  addressj 
told  us  it  would  be  necessary  to  take  what  money,  to- 
bacco, &c,  that  wo  might  have  in  our  possession;  and 


A.& 


LETTERS    FRO.'M    V.   D.   L. 


203 


it  would  be  best  to  surrender  it,  for  if  any  was  found 
afterwards,  the  crimt)  would  be  a  h^-inou:>  one,  and  pun- 
ished ill  an  exemplary  manner;  as  no  tmllie,  or  use 
of  tobacco  was  permitted.  After  all  tlu)  money  was 
given  up,  (which  was  precious  little  indeed,)  our  per- 
son?, pockei;-,  and  caps  were  clo^xly  *'fri,>ked,"  (;^,car- 
chcd,)  for  fear  some  h;ul  been  5;ecrcted.  We  were 
then  taken  to  another  part  of  tlie  ship  where  the  iron.; 
were  all  knocked  o-*.  While  that  Avas  urocerdin-T, 
i\rr,  CIrcetham,  a  barrister  of  Port-imouth,  with  his 
lady,  arrived,  and  enquired  for  me.  I  fouud  he  harl 
been  appointed  by  J.  A.  Roebuck,  ll-q.,  as  our  resi- 
dent agent;  and  that  he  had  come  oil'  to  receive  and 
impart  whatever  instructions  v»ere  necessary  to  open  a 
correspondence  with  London;  and  oiler  all  assistance 
he  could  render,  consistent  with  the  regulations  of  the 
Inil/c.  This  appointment  of  a  convenient  agent,  exhi- 
bited, on  the  part  of  our  London  friends,  an  anxiety  to 
serve,  or,  at  bast,  a  generous  desire  to  calm  our  minds; 
and,  indeed,  it  almost  dispelled  the  doul.)t  that  i  had 
given  way  to,  on  our  removal  to  that  place  {>om  Liver- 
pool. 

This  favor  was  indeed  extraordinary,  particularly 
as  it  was  extremely  seldom,  if  ever  permitted,  to  any 
who  once  enter  those  walls,  where  they  are  shut  from 
all  friendly  intercourse  for  thj  term  of  their  durance, 
save  one  visit  annually,  from  a  wife,  child,  or  parent. 

Lieutenant  Pritchard  came  olf  and  reported  oar 
characters,  perhaps  more  favorably  than  we  deserved, 
as  follows:  "They  arc  mostly. men  of  property,  res- 
pectability, and  family.  Mr.  Batcheldor  could  not  havo 


■M. 


'.I » 

■ri 


rK 


i- 

■  '• 

''i 
'i 

, 

1 ) 

^  IH 

;  1  , 

v- 

'i-fl 


'■ff 


f-'  i 


'  t- 


204 


LKTTEIIS    FROM    V.    I).    I.. 


'  I 


.1    f. 


•<i;  n. 


a        ■  •■*•■■-■. 


■     i 


'  "f 


%• 


■li- 


A:-    . 


given  better  characters  than  ho  did  ofllicsc  men;  and 
all  their  conduct  on  board  my  vessel  warrant  the  liigh- 
est  encomiums;  and,  1  wouhl  add,  they  are  intelligent, 
praijhiL^;  men.''"'  Tiii.s  great  strain  about  cliaractcr, 
which  1  found  to  1)C  very  common  indeed  among  men 
who  couM  not  l;'r>  suppoix'd  to  possess  any  hut  the  most 
heinous,  1  coul;l  not  then  see  the  lull  ibrce  oi';  and 
therefore  laughed  at  the  idea,  as  a  mere  burlesque 
upon  the  Vvord.  l>ut  si)ice,  1  liavo  frerpientiy  disco- 
vered, that  every  ////.',",>•  must  have  a  character,  and 
t/i(r/  is  one  grc  ;;t  point  of  their  system  of  prison  dis- 
cipline. 

Th'j  next  move  was  to  the  washinsr  ward,  where  wo 
were  stripped,  underv.'ent  an  ablution,  and  a  complete 
transformation,  by  tiie  assumption  of  the  *'hulk  dress,'* 
consisting  of  a  coarse,  spotted  guernsey  frock,  liemp 
shirt,  and  a  pair  of  short  knee  breeches,  jacket,  and 
waistcoat,  of  coarse  thin  c:rav  cloth.  A  thin  pair  of 
gray  long  stockings,  a  coarse  check  cotton  neckerchief, 
a  pair  of  low  covrskin  shoes,  and  to  cap  all  a  coarse 
stifl' wool  hat;  every  article  of  which  was  marked,  re- 
marked and  marked  again,  with  the  *'crow's  foot" 
(broad  arro\v.)  When  last,  though  not  least,  a  large 
iron  band  of  near  foe^r  pounds  weight,  extremely  rusty, 
was  put  Oil  eaeli  right  Ijg  the  following  day.  Thus 
carrying  out  to  the  fullest  extent  their  iron  policy.  Be- 
sides the  broad  arrow,  in  a  number  of  places  the  num- 
ber of  each,  as  entered  on  the  books,  was  also  stamped 
on  each  article  of  dress. 

The  clothes  we  wore,  were  all  bundled  together  and 
given  to  the  steward,  whose  man,  (a  convict,)  attended 


n;  and 
:■?  high- 
Iligont, 
,ractcr, 
ig  men 
10  most 
)!';  and 
rlosqiic 
r  disco- 
}!',  and 
ion  dis- 


10  ro  wo 
)niplctG 
dress,'* 
p   licmp 
ct,  and 
pair  of 
rcliicf, 
coarse 
[od,  re- 
foot" 
a  large 
rusty, 
Thus 
y.  Be- 
c  num- 
lampcd 


LETTERb    FROM    V.   1).    L. 


•  ) 


•205 


to  observe  that  no  articles  wore  retained,  not  so  much 
even  as  a  handkerchief. 

Thus  transformed,  I  am  sure  none  of  my  former 
friends  could  have  selected  mo  from  a  number  of  be- 
ings so  clad;  iii  fact,  J  scarce  know  myself,  by  feelings, 
appearance  or  any  thing  else.  Yet  this  metamorpho- 
sis was  not  sufTicient,  f(jr  the  following  day  our  whis- 
kers were  shaved  and  hair  sheared  close  to  the  head  in 
such  a  manner,  that  you  would  have  scarce  known  that 
we  had  ever  possessed  either.  This  was  a  cruelly,  for 
the  stifl'  hats  did  not  sliieid  our  heads;  and  the  conse- 
quences were  innnediatc  violent  colds  and  catarrhs. 

The  apparel  of  these  hulks  [  viewed  as  a  peculiar 
badge  of  disgrace,  and  the  iron  band  as  the  stern  to- 
ken of  unmitigated  slavery.  And  it  was  not  with  much 
calmness,  that  I  regarded  the  progress  made  in  the 
gi'adual  scale  the  government  pursued,  in  their  deter- 
mination to  assimilate  us,  as  much  as  possible  to  the 
condition,  diaractcr  and  appearance  of  the  ''world's 
most  degraded  wretches,"'  preparatoiy  to  their  immer- 
sing us  into  this  present  undistingui.jhable  state  of  de- 


.\ascment. 


I  remain,  dear  sir, 


Yours,  cVc.  &C 


:   I  It; 


:'-\\: 


cr  and 
ttended 


U: 


Bit'''V 


TV- 


1 1 


••«i 


lAHr 


*iii 


J'. 


1 


20G 


l.ETTKUS    FilOM    V.   I).    L. 


LETTER  XII. 


AsiiniiovE,  near  Oatlaiids,  V.  I).  L. 

March,  1811. 

To , 

Mv  Dear  Sir:  Tlic  York  is  the  Lull  ofan  old  71,  throe 
deck  man  of  v/ar,  built  many  years  ago,  upon  which 
Admiial  Lord  llowc  hoisted  his  ling;  but  proving  too 
dull  and  sluggish  to  bo  brought  into  action,  hdio  was  re- 
turned homo,  and  condemned  to  an  inactive  life.     She 
was    immediately  dismantled,    and  transformed    to  a 
prison  shin;  and  was,  for  many  years,  only  used  how- 
ever, as  a  lios|)ital.     But  for  the  last  few  years  the 
homo  convict  establishment  having  been  brought  into 
a  narrower  compass,  she  has  been  occupied  by  about 
400  convicts,  besides  the  liospital,  which  contains  now 
usually  near  125  men.   k^he  has  a  spacious  upper  deck, 
upon  which  v/o  promenaded  in  as  desolate  a  state  of 
mind  as  can  well  bo  imagined,   until  the  approach  of 
our  bed  hour,  when  each  shouldcrd  his  hammock  and 
followed  a  guard  to  the  lower  deck  level  with  the  v/aier 
where  wc  entered  one,  of  fourteen  wards,  seven  on 
either  side  of  the  narrow  hall,  each  calculated  to  con- 
tain 40  men.    The  sides  of  tlie  ship  in  each  ward  were 
pierced  for  two  guns;  but  the  apertures  then  were  secu- 
red by  iron  bars,  and,  at  night  closed  with  dead  lights- 
Tlie  front,  adjacent  the  h;di,  was  divided  from  it  by 
iron  grates,  but  from  the  collateral  wards  by  wooden 
partitions.     There  were  four  of  these,  at  that  time  un- 
occupied, separated  by  a  wooden  partition  across  the 
hall  from  those  occupied:  and  the  companion  way  to 


;.* 


,.!*«"■. 


l-i;rTIOIlS    FILOM    V.   I).    L. 


207 


.  D.  L. 
841. 

1,  throe 
which 

iiig  too 
was  rc- 

2.  SllC 
)(\  to  fl 
:;tl  how- 
ai'o  t'ne 
;lit  into 
Y  about 
jis  now 
)r  deck, 
;tate  of 
Dach  of 
ck  and 

0  water 
ivcn  on 
to  con- 
rd  were 
fc  secLi- 

1  lights, 
n  it  bv 
wooden 
imc  un- 
I'oss  the 
way  to 


the  chapel  on  the  middle  deck,  went  up  from  the  inter- 
mediate ppacG  nearly  opposite  our  ward;  the  hatch  of 
which  was  of!',  so  tliat  we  were  open  to  the  atmosphere 
oi*  the  chapel,  the  hall,  and  the  three  other  wards, 
whose  ports  wore  all  nj).  It  was  January,  and  the 
weather  wan  exeeeding  cold;  yet,  notwilhslanding  all 
those  frigid  facts,  the  ten  ('anadians,  (for  CJenmiel 
had  been  sent  to  the  hospital,)  vvre  \)Ui  there  to  sleep, 
with  a  hammock  skm":  that  only  contaiiiofl  a  straw 
pal/cassr,  two  old  blankets,  and  one  rug  eaeh.  When 
once  retired  W(;  attempted  to  compose  ourselves  to 
rest;  but  with  mvseif  and  some  other--,  it  was  wholly 
nugatory.  I  co:dd,  with  more  ease  and  comfort,  have 
slept,  covered  up  in  one  of  our  North  American  snow 
banks — cold  and  liunger  comliiiied,  (lor  there  we  were, 
out  of  the  reach  of  individual  eharitv,  and  sullered  the 
consequence  of  the  ration  laws  I  have  (Isewhero  des- 
cribed,) prevented  m}-  resting.  ]\Iy  body  became  per- 
fectly chilled,  ai]d  my  limbs  f-o  benumbed,  that,  al- 
though  I  paced  the  ward  for  the  most  of  the  night  v/ith 
a  quickened  step,  yet  I  could  not,  ibr  my  life,  shake 
completely  oif  wh;it  I  felt  was  the  lassitude  of  death. 
That  night's  frost  did  its  work;  for  to  this  distant  day 
1  do,  and,  most  probably,  to  my  last  hour,  shall  feel 
its  painful  eficcts  upon  both  my  icet. 

In  a  truly  forlorn  condition  the  morning  dawned 
upon  us,  and  soon  brought  our  breakfast,  which  con- 
sisted of  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  ship  biscuit,  and  one 
pint  of  oat  meal  gruel  called,  in  the  prison  slang, 
"skilly,"  alias,  "smiggins.''  The  biscuit  I  could  cat; 
but  the  gruel,  notwithstanding  my  cxtremo  hunger,  \ 


''If 


'!:.» 


I  I 


w 


■i! 


r,iy 


I! 


:t 


'  II 


Ill: 


,M-r 


208 


LF.TTKIIH    FROM    V.    I).   L. 


could  not  cncliire.  Immediately  after  the  morning 
7nc(il  was  consumed,  the  ten  occuj)i(  d  wards  wero 
emptied,  and  tliier  tenants,  were  sent  to  tlic  shore  at 
worlv,  raising  an  eml)anivment  upon  the  Clielsc^a  hcaeli, 
wliicli  was  invariably  washed  away,  at  each  succeecHng 
high  wind.  Wo  wero  then  also  unloeked,  and  pcnnided 
to  carry  our  hammocks  to  the  nndieitcrcd  upper  deck, 
and  there  pcragratc  for  the  day  unemployed,  save  by 
lurbJsliing  our  irons  which  wo  were  directed  to  do,  and 
answering  the  questions  of  every  petty  olhcer  of  tho 
hulk  wlio  chose  to  interrogate  us.  I'y  liic  bye,  1  had 
nearly  forgol.len  to  mention,  tiint  we  were  uot  wholly 
alono  in  our  ward,  i'or  a  ielon  was  sent  among  us  to 
sleep  for  tin;  avowed  purpose  of  "■teaching  us  hulk  man- 
ners, and  hulk  rules,''  and  for  the  disavowed  purpose 
of  reporting  contingent  circumstances;  the  latter  might 
as  well  have  been  omitted,  for  the  sequel  will  show 
that  we  ncefled  no  minute  watching,  for  our  murmurs 
and  complaints  were  not  "breathed  only  in  secret;'^ 
but  wero  '•''published  in  London  at  the  very  threshold 
of  St.  James'.'*''' 

^-'Our  dinner  consisted  of  a  very  liltlo  salt,  a  pint 
of 'beef  tea,' (i.  c.  the  well  skimmed  liquid  in  which 
fresh  beef  had  been  boiled,)  a  hal-f  pound  of  half  boiled 
beef,  including  bone,  and  one  pound  of  tlie  coarsest, 
sourest,  blackest,  and  most  unpalatable  bi'ead  you  can 
possibly  imagine,  made  of  horse  beans  and  barley,  as 
I  am  informed;  the  crust  is  generally  burned,  and  as 
uneatable  as  a  brick  bat,  but  tlic  residue  is  so  adhesive, 


*E.\ tract  of  n  lotfcr  T  wrofc  to  J.  II\iiriC,  Ecq.,  M.  P.,  wliicb 
was  sent  through  the  ofuce  ol'tlie  Secrctury  uf  Sink*. 


•^- 


LKTTF.Il.S    FKOM   \.    I>.    L. 


'4 


•^O'.l 


JC 


loniing 
we  ro 

nro  nt 
l;cacli, 
cding 
mil  led 
(lock, 
avc   by 
o,  nnd 
of  tlio 
,  I    liad 
wholly 
';  us  lo 
k  inan- 
lurposo 
I"  might 
1   sliow 
urniLir.s 
ccrct;'' 
rcshuld 

a  pint 
whicli 
'  boiled 
•arsest, 
oil  can 
ley,  as 
and  as 
licsivc, 

,  wiiicb 


that  if  you  should  roll  a  lump  in  your  hand  and  throw 
it  against  the  wall,  it  would  thoro  remain  until  torn 
away.  The  following  day,  instead  of  meat  and  broth, 
wn  got  a  half  pint  of  sour  *'swipes,''  (ale,)  and  a  quar- 
ter of  a  pound  of  tough  dry  cheese,  with  a  rind  so  hard, 
that  it  could  not  be  cut  through  by  the  force  of  the 
hand;  indeed,  [  would  as  soon  attempt  to  eat  caltchoi;. 
These  dinners  vary  every  third  day,  but  the  morning 
and  evening  mcaU  are  unvaried  in  their  usual  routine 
o^  nauseous  oat  meal."' 

In  the  morning  1  lost  no  time  in  applying  for  an 
addition  to  our  bed.-^,  which  was  complied  with.  There- 
fore when  the  second  night  approached,  after  drinl\ing 
my  pint  of  hot  gruel,  I  swung  my  hammock,  retired  to 
rest,  and  was  awakened,  by  the  morning  gun  invigo- 
rated and  refreshed. 

Another  species,  of  what  wc  termed  alTront,  appear- 
ed in  the  shape  of  a  being  in  the  "convict  garb,"  com- 
ing to  our  ward  door,  at  retiring  time,  and  reading 
the  "church  service,"  while  we  had  to  respond  "amen'' 
at  the  close  of  each  prayer.  Wc  had  always  maintained 
the  habit  of  morning  and  evening  devotions  in  an  extem- 
poraneous method,  and,  therefore,  felt  this  a  grievance 
wc  ought  not  to  submit  to,  without  a  trial  to  evad«\ 
This,  with  the  provision,  formed  tlie  subjects  of  a  con- 
sultation among  ourselves,  when  one  of  the  men  ex- 
pressed himself  very  happily  as  follows:  "I  look  upon 
the  present  fare,  as  wholly  uncongenial  to  AmericaJi 
constitutions:  and  to  pray  God  in  the  language  of 
England's  dominant  church,  for  that  government  which 

we  would  have  gladly  driven  from  the  American  Con- 
14 


t'l 


••1^ 


■  '.  i- 


•no 


I.F.TTms    FIIO.M    .\.    I).    I.. 


;i: 


iv 


r^r^\i\' 


ll''- 


l'.. 


W' 


•  1:1 


■■--/r"  , 

■  -'^  i'    ! 

.  ',    ;''•  .^^ 

i|-  -i 

r-M'-, 

'.    •■,   t,>    ". 

.flj''^.S..       :         •' 

ll.vlj'i^',^    i^i    H, 

n 

||..vi:M  'M  i 

i 

1^'-'''^ .  '  i 

\ 

.;h      ;•-■  »    ■    ft 

;^'f    '...;       ;^ 

.    ■•},','■             •.- 

■»l^f<[v  :  ,- 

tiiicnt,  and  lor  tlint  Queen's  wcinire  who  Imd  enslaved, 
and  was  starving  us,  was  utterly  inconsistent  with  Ca- 
nadian patriotism:  nay,  it  is  treason  to  our  cause;  for 
it  supplicates  destruction  to  our  inten.tit.  If  we  pray  at 
nil,  let  us  pray  tor  the  success  of  the  cause  of  truth,  jus- 
lice,  and  lilxM'ly!  tlion  if  on  r  desires  are  answered,  it  will 
ho,  for  gootl  and  not  for  evil:'  and  if  we  maintain  the 
.character  we  have  tried  to  estahlisli,  wc  will  not  suh- 
mit  without  remonslrancc.''  Bravo!  sounded  from  eve- 
ry tongue,  and  I  was  instantly  doputed  to  wait  on  tho 
^Jommander  with  a  request  to  alter  our  provisions,  and 
periuit  us  to  worship  God  in  the  form  wc  preferred. 
That  part  relative  to  the  worship,  was  immediately  con- 
<;eded;  but  to  alter  our  rations,  was  mor(.'  than  l>is  sit- 
uation was  worth,  for  ho  held  the  tenure  of  his  office 
during  the  good  will  and  pleasure  of  the  priucipal  su- 
perintendent; however  he  would  confer  with  Mr.  Wil- 
liams, surgeon  of  the  hospital,  who,  no  doubt,  would, 
on  his  recommendation,  put  us  upon  hospital  diet,  if 
wc  would  consent  to  the  change.  I  of  course,  was 
agreeable  to  any  change,  provided  it  would  only  oust 
the  "skilly''  and  * 'brown  tommy." 

I  returned  to  our  lodgings  and  "reported  progress," 
which  gave  general  satisfaction.  The  change  of  diet 
was  effected,  and  it  then  consisted  of  one  pint  of  rice 
and  milk  in  the  morning,  three  fourths  of  a  pound  of 
good  white  bread,  one  fourth  of  a  pound  of  good  mut- 
ton, one  potatoe,  and  a  pint  of  broth,  for  dinner;  and 
{'or  supper,  one  pint  of  tea,  well  milked  and  sugared. 
This  food  was  good  but  of  very  short  allowance;  yet  the 
quality  made  up  for  quantity,  and  I  felt  myself  greatly 


Li/rri  r.H  fkom  v.  n.  i.. 


•211 


slaved, 
th  Ca- 
se; for 
)ray  nt 

,  jlJS- 


ff 


roli(^vcd  from  tljc  acitlity  of  the  stoniacli  and  lassitude 
that  the  ship's  diet  produeed.  A  di.'irrhoca  had  com- 
menced tlitit  I  verily  hclicvc  Nvoidd  have  terminated 
llie  existence  of  soi,' )  of  our  men  liad  not  thi.)  change 
taken  ])lace. 

Tlic  third  day  after  arrival  wo  received  per  a  convict 
servant,  an  order  to  r'  p  lir  to  a  certain  ward,  and  have 
our  'Mikeness'  taken."  Wo  went  to  t!ie  place  designa- 
ted, and  were  individually  brought  hef(jre  the  Com- 
mander, and  closely  interrogated  by  him  as  follows, 
while  every  repb.-  was  carefully  inserted  in  an  im- 
mense I'olio,  bv  a  convict  clerk: 

'*VVi;Ht  is  your  name?  What  is  your  age?  What  is 
your  trade?  What  is  your  religion?  Where  is  your 
native  place?  What  were  you  tried  for?  Where  were 
you  arrested?  Where  were  you  tried?  What  was  your 
sentence?  (Ans.  death — not  satisfaclory.)  What  was 
your  commuted  sentence?  (Ans.  transpotation.)  For 
what  length  of  time?  (do  not  know.)  'Put  them  down 
life.'  WMicn  were  you  tried?  When  did  you  leave 
Canada?  Arc  you  married?  (if  married)  Is  your  wife 
living?  Where  does  she  reside?  Of  what  religion  is 
she?  Have  you  any  children?  How  many  males?  Mow 
many  females?  What  s.ex  is  the  oldest?  What  sex  is 
the  youngest?  What  arc  their  respective  ages?  Are 
your  parents  living?  Where  do  they  reside?  What  is 
their  native  country?  What  arc  their  respective  ages? 
What  is  their  religion?  Can  they  road?  Can  they  write 
or  keep  accounts?  Can  you  read,  write  or  keep  ac- 
counts?  What  is  your  number?'^ 


■  t'M 


.^^■■■ 


«■ 


;'!•!;  ,^''? 


212 


LETTERS    PROxM   V.  1).   L. 


I  i 


;•  1 


I  I 


■  "»i 


>.»' 


1    iJr^-fc; 


•  'I 


IS 


After  the  answers  to  these  questions  were  duly  re- 
corded each  one  of  us,  in  rotation,  was  directed  to  strip 
naked  to  the  waist,  and  up  to  the  knee,  when  every  spot, 
scar,  mole,  and  other  mark  on  the  person — color  of  the 
hair  on  the  head  and  person — color  and  shape  of  the  eye 
and  brow — shape  of  mouth,  nose,  and  chin,  with  the 
general  appearance  of  the  features;  and,  finally,  the 
number  of  teeth  lost;  with  our  height,  weight,  and 
every  other  indication  whereby  our  person  might  be 
identified,  in  the  event  of  an  attempt  at  escape,  were 
particularly  inserted,  and  afterward  read  over  to  each, 
and  signed  with  his  own  hand. 

This  then  completed  our  "likenesses;''  and  they 
were  so  particularly  taken,  that  either  of  us  could  hav^ 
been  detected  at  any  place,  by  those  descriptions. 

Those  small  tokens  made  of  paper,  in  the  shape  of 
hearts,  that  I  have  before  mentioned,  here  soon  became 
beneficial  to  me  and  others;  as  I  had  the  good  fortune 
to  exhibit  some  of  thom  to  an  ofilcer  on  board,  w  ho 
was  so  taken  with  the  curiosity,  that  he  begged,  and 
carried  them  on  shore,  where  Miss  Strickland,*  who 
kept  a  Bazar,  prized  them  very  highly,  and  sent  off 
several  sheets  of  colored  paper,  to  have  a  lot  made  for 
her,  with  strict  orders  for  "the  maker's  name  and  pat- 
riotic mottoes  to  be  carefully  imprinted  upon  thom." 
This  maneuver  had  to  be  done  "on  the  sly,"  but  it  ob- 
tained several  loaves  of  good  bread.  On  the  appoach  of 
St.  Valentine's  day,  which  is  highly  regarded  there, 
the  demand  was  greatly  increased,  and  our  pay  re- 

*Compilor  of  the  Queen  of  Scots  Letters, 


^v 


7J 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


213 


doubled;  but  these,  at  last,  becoming  an  *'old  story," 
recourse  was  had  to  small  boxes,  and  horse  hair 
rings,  with  partial  success  for  a  time. 

I  mention  this  little  circumstance  as  elucidatory  of 
the  ingenuity  of  man,  when  reduced  to  necessity;  it 
not  only  furnished  the  occasional  luxury  of  an  addition- 
al loaf,  but,  likewise,  the  cause  for  many  remarks  up- 
on the  industrious  habits,  and  inventional  powers  of  the 
American  character,  that  gained  us  respect,  and  good 
opinion. 

The  officers,  generally,  were  indeed  very  agreable, 
and  took  apparently,  some  pleasure  in  conversing  with 
us,  particularly  in  respect  to  our  grievances,  and  the 
condition  of  the  Canadas;  when  they  would  occasional- 
ly draw  conclusions  from  the  information  so  obtained, 
and  make  contrast  between  what  they  would  call  *'the 
happy  state  of  North  America,  and    poor    heautiful 

An  assistant  Surgeon,  a  young  man  of  considerable 
talent  and  promise,  (a  Mr.  Elliot,)  one  day,  after  pas- 
sing many  eulogiums  upon  ^'favored  America,"  where 
he  would  really  like  to  emigrate  to,  if  it  was  in  his 
power,  said,  «<you  complain  of  the  provisions  you  re- 
ceive here,  but  I  can  tell  you  there  are  six  millions  of 
Britains /ree  subjects,  who  would  feel  themselves  hap- 
py in  getting  one  half  you  dc;  though  you  think  it  is 
short  allowance,  and  coarse  stuff;  yes,  there  are  thous- 
ands who  annually  commit  crime  for  no  other  purpose 
than  to  become  imprisoned  in  these  cages  of  infamy, 
and  to  avoid  a  residence  in  the  parish  workhouse.  In- 
deed, to  an  abode  there,  I  should  myself  prefer  trans- 


it 


] 


;  !!! 


'^  \ 


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.  ^  i 

1 

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1.  ; 

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m 

■  m 

■;!'» 

"  '"'H'a' 

'  '    ''''IHr 

mi:-,  m 

■    '-ii; 

ill] 

;  *  - 


'ffr  ■•• 


!,i 
■I 

,1; 
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i 

t  i 


■lA 


4W- 


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n  '  i'  1    '   ' ' '      ■ ' 


m 


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'2U 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


portation,  and  take  my  chance  amid  the  congregated 
mass  of  pcriidy  in  New  South  \\'ales." 

This  information  was  even  correct;  for  I  have  heen 
since  told,  by  several  on  board  that  hulk,  and  very 
many  here,  (hat,  alllumgh  their  food  was  coarse  and 
Hcanty^  and  they  were,  in  reality,  the  slaves  oi" caprice^ 
yet  the  whole  was  far  superior  to  what  thoy  had  usually 
been  accustomed  to — tliat  thoy  had  never  known  satiety, 
and  would  not  eaT/w??/re  present  hondage,  under  the  cat, 
for  their  former  freedom!!  Is  there  no  remedy  for  this 
unhallowed  condition?  Could  not  \.\\q great  British  gov- 
ernment devise  some  moans  to  curtail  this  cause  of  so 
vast  an  amount  of  criminal  abandonment?  Indeed,  it 
could  be  done,  notwithstanding  the  late  assertion  of  a 
prominent  Minister,  "that  the  distress  was  beyond  the 
reach  of  Parliamentary  enactment."  The  secret  is, 
they  loill  not  listen  to  a  syllable  on  retrenchment.  A 
moderately  less  sordid  policy,  would  relieve  their  pau- 
pers of  one  half  their  present  misery;  but  such  a  step 
would  reduce  the  aristocracy  to  the  coniemptiwus  ne- 
cessity of  economizing.  The  poor  laborer  would  be 
raised  too  near  the  level  of  the  lordling,  and  be  no 
longer  obliged  to  crouch  beneath  their  withering  scowl, 
nor  stand  at  an  humble  distance,  with  hat  in  hand,  im- 
ploring employment  at  any  price,  to  only  momentarily 
check  approaching  starvation.  Grant  the  people  jus- 
tice, make  them  less  miserable,  less  depraved,  less  de- 
pendant, and  they  will  stand  up  more  like  men,  to  de- 
mand  what  is  their  due.  The  lordling  is  so  engrossed 
by  his  own  vicious  pursuits,  and  the  gratification  of 
his  own  sordid  passions — that  he  heeds  not  the  cries  for 


LETTKRS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


215 


bread — the  voice  that  sounds  like  a  trumpet  from  the 
tombs  of  starved  millions,  as  a  warning  of  impending 
wo.  Avarice  closes  every  avenue  to  their  Iienrts^  and 
not  a  ray  of  compassion  finds  its  way  there,  to  soften 
their  obduracy — power  and  aggrandizement  are  their 
whole  aim — tyranny  and  misery  are  the  effects  of  their 
success;  while  tliey  who  commisserate,  and  would 
remedy  the  prevailing  evils,  are  either  crushed  be- 
neath the  foot  of  power,  or  are  suffered  to  spend  their 
days  in  vain  attempts,  limiting  their  benevolence  to 
the  wretched  of  their  own  immediate  neighborhood. 

What  a  load  of  wo  is  in  store  for  the  ''''tyrants  of 
England;"  and  as  assuredly  as  there  is  a  just  God  ru- 
ling the  destinies  of  the  nations  of  the  earth,  she  will 
receive  her  full  weight. 

But  I  am  indulging  in  portraying  what  you  were 
personally  acquainted  with  years  ago. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  &c.  tV-c, 


LETTER  XIII. 


■.  !    ■ 


Ik' 


in 


AsHGRovE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  D.  L, 

Ajoril,  1841. 


To , 

My  Dear  Sir:  Soon  after  we  had  become  a  little  ac- 
customed to  the  circumstances  of  our  new  abode  and 
dress,  we  began  to  think  of  complying  with  the  re- 
quests of  our  friends  in  London,  by  giving  them  a 
brief  detail  of  all  we  had  endured  since  the  first  insur- 


■H 


.-31 


f 


/[f 


■■'Si 


tl:-^ 


216 


LETTERS    KIlOiM    V.   D.    L. 


■        '■■■■'  J  '.         ''S 


^1 


M'a! 


t  .in,,,  ,^^  .. 


F-:if^; 


,*^. 


i-ti 


'   .;!'• 


;  .'f  :^ 


■r; 


:r')' 


1  'i!  ■ 


ife 


h. 


'••  I 


m :  ^ 


rcctionary  movements  in  our  Province,  as  Mr.  Grec- 
tham  had,  for  tliat  purpose,  brought  olT  a  good  supply 
of  paper,*  pens,  and  ink.    lie  also  had  brought  several 
letters  from  Joseph  Hume,  L^sq.,  M.  P.,   W.  H.  Ash- 
urst,  Esq.,  Mr.   Waller,  and  some  other  gentlemen, 
with  a  great  number  from  our  countrymen  in  New- 
Gate.    Mr.  Hume  particularly  desired  me  to  write  for 
him  a  description  of  our  situation,  food,  clothing,  &c. 
on  board  the  hulk,  to  enable  him,  if  necessary,  to  ap- 
ply at  the  proper  place  for  an  alleviation,  which  I  did 
nearly  the  same  as  I  have  given  yourself;  and  most 
probably  I  mentioned  the  circumsi  mcc  of  having  ap- 
plied to  the  officers  on  board,   for  a   removal  from  the 
ward  we  inhabited,  on  account  of  the  extreme  cold,  to 
another  we  had  discovered  to  bo  vacant,  that  had  been 
used  as  a  "dead  house,"  but  then  was  *<cleared  out,'* 
another  having  been  substituted  for  it,  in  which  I  had 
been  unsuccessful,  mainly  through  the  undeserv.     evil 
opinion  of  the  principal  surgeon  of  the  hospital,  exci- 
ted by  the  pestilential  communications  of  the  traitor 
Beemer;  for  the  surgeon  held  a  violent  antipathy  to- 
ward me  from  the  day  of  my  placing  the  letter  in  the 
office,  where  he  must  have  seen  and  read  it,  on  which 
account  I  believo  he  made  us  return  to  the  ship's  from 
Hospital  diet.     However,  be  that  as  it  may,  and  whe~ 
ther  I  did  relate  that  particular  incident  or  not,  I  can- 
not now  recollect,  as  I  did  not  retain  a  copy  of  the 
letter;  for  writing  was  rendered  extremely  difficult  from 
the   cold:     Yet  it  was  apparent   that  something  was 
wrong  in  his  estimation,  for  my  letter  was  closely  fol- 
lowed by  one  from  him,  in  which  he  indulged  in  un- 


■&- 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.    L. 


217 


heard  of  virulence  and  vituperation  against  mo,  that 
produced  a  sliort  note  from  Mr.  liume,  enclosing  one 
from  the  Under  Secretary  of  State,  requesting  it  might 
bo  returned  to  him  with  remarks. 

Mr.  Hume's  note,  the  Secretary's  letter,  and  my 
reply,  I  subjoin,  to  permit  you  to  judge  of  the  spirit 
manifested  therein,  which  you  can  do  better  by  a  per- 
usal of  the  originals,  than  by  my  conclusions. 

"Bryanston's  Square,  loi/i  Fchnuirij,  1839. 

*'Mr.  Jiumo  bcgo  to  send  the  anowcr  be  has  reecived  from  the 
Under  Seerelnry  of  State,  to  the  complaints  which  Mr.  Wait 
made  to  Mr.  Hume,  of  the  accommodation  and  treatment  of  the 
Canadian  priGoners,  And  Mr.  Hume  hopes  their  unfortunate 
situation  will  he  made  as  comfortable  as  the  rulce,  applicable  to  all 
prieoncr.s  under  orders  for  trnnsportatioti,  will  admit  of.  Mr. 
Hume  requests  the  letter  may  be  rclnrried,  with  any  observations 
Mr  Wait  may  think  proper  to  make  in  relation  thereto;  but  Mr. 
Hume  hopes  that  no  unnecessary  trouble  will  be  given  to  either 
party. 

''Mr.  Benj'n  Wait,  York  Hulk." 

Thus  ended  Mr.  Hume's  laconic,  repulsive  note: 
yes,  and  thus  ended  his  boasted  liberal  endeavors  in 
bringing  about  a  ''restoration  to  our  sorrowing  fami- 
lies,'' or  of  "an  alleviation"  o-f  the  horrid  sufferings 
we  were  then  enduring.  Perhaps  the  intimation  at  the 
close  of  Mr.  Fox  Maule's  letter,  had  the  expected  effect 
of  deterring  him  from  his  promised  kindness.*  Howe- 
ver, be  that  as  it  may,  we  heard  nothing  farther  from 


*Sinee  my  return  I  have  learned  by  Mrs.  Wait,  that  Mr.  Hume 
intimated  to  her,  while  in  England,  that  had  her  husband  regard- 
ed truth  more  in  his  complaints,  he  would  not  have  abandoned 
him,  '^Truth  inore,"  here  means,  leas  independence — less  bitter- 
ness of  feeling. 


? 


-pi 

:■'(:■; 


U 


■  > 


1  .1 


■■M 


i\ 


-fm 


I .. 


' 

' 

'   » 

' 

U'^ 

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7 


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i . 


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i: 


:iU'  ' 

I 


U: 


a  Si.  1.1    III    .; 


<  Is 


'  c  .^ 


218 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    D.    L 


him,  not  even  an   acknowledgment  of  the  receipt  of 
my  reply  to,  and  the  return  of  Mr.  I\Iaulc',s  letter. 

"IIoMK   ff  Kt  UKT.VKY'j  OfKICF.,  } 

Fchrvanj  10,  1839.      ] 
"My  Denr  Sir: 

*'I  am  directed  by  Ibc  Secretary  of  State,  to  return  yon  the  let- 
ter written  and  signed  by  the  convict  "Wait,  in  behalf  of  his  com- 
panions, purportinif  to  give  yuii  a  true  account  of  their  situation 
on  board  of  tlic  York  hulk.  1  accompany  it  with  some  remarks  I 
wa&  desired  to  make,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  convince  you  that 
his  Builerings  are  not  as  great  as  he  represents. 

"I  have  written  to  the  oillcer  on  board  the  hulk,  and  find  they 
jccupy  the  ward  we  directed  they  should  be  placed  in;  it  is  the 
same  from  which  the  boys  were  taken  a  month  or  two  ago,  when 
they  were  tent  to  the  penitentiary  at  Rye,  on  tlie  isle  of  Wight; 
and  excepting  the  late  alterations  of  the  weather,  I  do  not  cee 
why  it  is  not  as  habitable  for  its  present,  as  for  its  former  occu- 
pants. He  complains  of  the  two  preliminary  proccsEes  of  cutting 
oft' the  hair,  and  assuming  prison  dress. 

"The  reaf;rin  assigned  for  the  first  is,  to  prevent  the  generating 
of  vermin,  which  every  means  must  be  used  to  guard  against  in  a 
community  like  the  hulks;  and  I  do  not  anticipate  its  being  done 
in  an  ^inhuman,  manner.^  The  assumption  of  prison  dress  is,  to 
afford  a  corresponding  chance  of  detection,  in  an  attempt  toes- 
cape,  when  on  shore  at  work. 

"As  to  the  coldness  of  the  ward  they  inhabit,  I  am  told  that  a 
hanging  stove  was  allowed  them  during  the  greatest  severity  of 
the  weather. 

"And  the  provisions  supplied  them,  is  the  same  in  quantity  and 
quality,  furnished  to  thousands  of  prisoners  before  them,  by  the 
government,  without  complaint;  and  several  years  experience, 
and  the  united  opinions  of  various  physicians,  have  taught  us  that 
it  is  perfectly  wholesome,  and  sufiicient  for  the  actual  necessities 
of  any  man,  notwithstanding  the  assertion  of  the  convict  Wait, 
and  his  fellow  convicts,  to  the  contrary. 

"There  were  no  orders  issued  from  this  office,  for  a  difference 
of  treatment  from  the  of/ier  felons,  except  that,  by  their  own  re- 


-m 


'&!; 


LETTEllS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


219 


coipt  of 
or. 

ici:,  } 

\  the  lot- 
liia  com- 
eituntion 
cm  arks  J 
you  thnt 

find  llicy 
it  is  the 
?o,  when 
Wight; 
'  not  Dec 
ler  occu- 
f  cutting 

uncrating 
ninst  in  a 
}ing  done 
•eea  is,  to 
ipt  to  es- 

Id  thnt  a 
3 verity  of 

ntity  and 
n,  by  the 
perience, 
it  us  thnt 
ccessitics 
ict  Wait, 

difference 
r  own  re- 


queel,  thoy  were  (o  be  kept  Bcparntc  from  tbcm,  and  not  to  be 
Bont  out  to  work.  Wait  maybe  ntianrcd,  thai  bis  letters,  when 
written  with  such  an  indtpoiidnntHpirit,  and  in  rucb  a  tone  of  pre- 
tuiniption,  cniinot  jinca  unheeded. 

''When  you  have  piru^icd  tliis  letter,  please  rctnru  it,  with 
whatever  pertinent  remarka  may  occur  to  you.  And  I  am  direct- 
ed to  Bay,  you  will  do  well  to  abstain  from  receiving  the  convict 
Wait's  complaints  of  ill  treatment,  when  in  ilho  custody  of  the 
officers  of  our  government,  for  ho  ia  a  cunning,  designing  fellow, 
nud  his  associate  convicts  arc  his  dupes. 
'*!  am,  Sir,  your  obd't 

"Humble  scrv't, 
(Signed,)  "FOX  MAULE, 

"Under  Secretary  of  State. 
"Joseph  Hume,  Esq.,  M.  P." 

The  contents  of  the  foregoing  letter  were  astounding 
indeed.  The  frequent  repetition  of  "convict  Wait," 
and  the  "otlier  felons,"  sounded  in  my  brain  for  a  long 
while.  I  could  not  imagine  what  had  been  the  Secre- 
tary's motives  for  descending  to  such  low,  abusive  lan- 
guage, or  what  end.s,  save  traduction,  he  had  to  answer 
by  it.  However,  1  deemed  it  giving  rnc  a  license  to  re- 
ply in  an  equally  disrespectful  style.  It  accounted  at 
once  for  the  hauteur  with  which  the  surgeon  had  al- 
ready treated  me,  and  the  coldness  of  Mr.  Hume's 
laconic  note.     My  reply  was  as  follows: 

"York  Hulk,  Fchmanj  15,  1839. 
"My  Dear  Sir: 

"Your  laconic  note  of  the  13th  inst.  was  handed  me  by  Mr. 
Greetham,  and  which  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Fox  Mnule's  sin- 
gularly sophistical  letter;  the  perusal  of  it  has  truly  given  mo 
no  little  surprise. 

"I  am  indeed  grieved  to  discover  the  Secretary  capable  of  such 
low,  scurrilous  expressions,  and  assertions  so  positively  false;  and 
which,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  ho  knew  to  be  do.     For,  on  re- 


''1 


,  !■ 


.    './    t^ 


U 


■^I'i'^ 


,    I 


T 


li .  t 


.;'■■*  J' 


:]■• 


-I'  ■,%i<* 


■  I',;  ;• 
I  '  ■<■■ 


220 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


cciviiig  your  letter,  I  went  with  it  directly  to  tlie  commniulcr, 
whom  I  supjmeed  (o  be  the  **oflIceron  board"  he  means,  and  from 
whom  ho  ought  to  have  received  his  information.  But  he 
ifl  equally  surprised  with  myself,  and  cannot  surmise  what  "officer 
on  board"  could  have  originated  such  falsehoods.  I  cannot  give 
him,  (Mr.  Maule,)  credit  for  being  even  ordinarily  'cunning,' 
for  mark  his  position;  when  speaking  of  the  ward  wc  occupy,  he 
says,  *it  is  the  same  from  which  the  boys  were  taken  a  month  or 
two  ago,  when  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  *  *  and  exccjytlng  tho 
Laic  alterations  of  llie  weather,  I  do  not  sec  why  it  is  not  as  habi- 
table for  its  present  as  its  former  occupants.' 

"Here  allow  me  to  remark,  that  *a  month  or  two  ago,'  Hhe 
late  alterations  of  the  weather'  had  not  taken  place;  that  it  waa 
then  warm,  but  now  it  is  cold;  and  we  all  know  that  a  room  nat- 
urally cold  from  ita  locality,  is  much  more  'habitable'  in  the  line 
weather  of  summer,  orautunm,  than  during  the  cold,  frosty  months 
of  winter.  It  is  1ruc,  Mhe  ward  is  the  same  from  which  the  boys, 
(or  a  part  of  them,)  were  taken,'  not  ^a  month  or  tico,'  but  three 
months  ago.  liut  even  suppose  it  had  been  during  last  week  that 
they  were  removed,  I  would  appeal  to  himself,  or  any  other  per- 
son equally  inimical  to  humanity,  to  say,  whether  the  atmosphere 
of  any  space,  when  occupied  by  eighty  persons,  would  not  be 
heightened  far  above  what  it  is  possible  to  be,  when  inhabited  by 
only  nine?  For  not  only  tho  air  of  the  four  different  wards  in 
which  the  eighty  boys  were  lodged,  but  likewise  of  a  chapel,  cal- 
culated to  accommodate  five  or  six  hundred  persons,  is  open  to  us 
nine  Canadians. 

''And  further,  his  assertion  about  the  'hanging  stove,'  is  an  ut- 
ter fabrication;  as  no  stove,  of  any  kind,  ever  made  its  appearance 
in  or  near  our  ward,  during  our  occupancy. 

"As  to  the  'preliminary  processes  of  cutting  off  the  hair,  and 
assuming  prison  dress,'  I  have  only  to  reassure  you,  the  former 
was  inhumanly  doiie;  and,  when  combined  with  the  scantiness  of 
our  >vardrobe  and  the  frigidness  of  our  lodgings,  have  placed  us  in 
circumstances  very  nearly  approaching  death.  And  I  am  quite  sure 
that  our  security  did  not  render  it  an  imperative  necessity  to  in- 
vest our  persons  with  the  habiliments  of  the  hulk,  and  our  legs 


yi*  ]->■ 


LKTTEIIS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


•}0  I 


imniulcr, 
and  from 
But  he 
L  "ofiicrr 
mot  give 
lunning,' 
;ciipy,  he 
month  or 
4ing  tho 
,  as  habi- 

go,'  'the 
at  it  wns 
•oom  nat- 
1  the  line 
[y  months 
the  boys, 
but  three 
tvcck  that 
)ther  per- 
mosphere 
d  not  be 
abited  by 
wards  in 
apel,  cal- 
pen  to  us 

is  an  ut- 
ipearance 

hair,  and 
he  former 
ntiness  of 
iced  lis  in 
quite  sure 
uty  to  in- 
1  our  legs 


with  the  iron  bands  of  slavery,  'as  a  corresponding  chance  '"  '•  de- 
tection, in  an  attempt  to  escape  when  on  shore  at  work,'  ivi*  we 
are  never  permitted  to  U^avo  the  ship's  sides;  and  he  enys  their 
orders  were  against  putting  us  at  work. 

"In  regard  to  what  is  said  about  the  wholcsomcness  of  the  diet, 
I  can  aver  tliat  six  of  tho  nine  are  now  severely  sullcring  by  diar- 
rhoea, purely  the  eflect  of  the  sour  bread  we  arc  now  forced  to 
use,  as  we  have  again  been  put  on  the  ship's  diet.  1  dure  say 
tliose  gentlemen  and  surgeons  who  have  pronounced  this  food  good, 
wholesome,  and  sufTicicnt,  have  never  tried  it  themselves;  and 
have,  psrhape  never  seen  it;  and  there  ia  very  good  reason  for  no 
complaint  being  made  by  any  English  convict,  for  the  ^caV  is  the 
sure  consequence  of  murmur,  (culled  insolence.) 

"iiut  for  my  part,  I  protest,  that  unless  some  salutary  change 
if?  soon  efiectod,  I  fully  expect  my  lifuicso  body  will  be  spirited 
awoy  through  one  of  the  port  holes  of  this  feblp,  as  an  article  of 
traflfic  with  some  London  quack,  whose  diriy  laboratory  my  whi- 
tened bonea  may  groce,  beside  others  who  have  gone  the  same 
road,  after  having  taught  some  half  dozen  students  the  art  of  dis- 
section and  anatomy. 

"I  do  most  sincerely  hope  my  letters  may  'not  paea  unheeded,' 
(as  he  is  pleased  to  say,)  but  that  they  will  have  the  eflect  desired, 
by  causing  on  alleviation  of  some  circumstances  attending  our  res- 
idence here,  or,  at  least,  of  bringing  about  an  inquiry,  which  is 
very  much  required. 

"What  designs  Mr.  Maule  has  to  answer  by  insulting  helpless 
prisoners  in  his  power,  by  applying  to  us  the  ignominious  epithets 
of 'convicts  and  felons,'  ore,  of  course,  best  knovv^n  to  himself;  and 
I  hove  only  to  soy,  that  it  indicates,  in  my  estimation,  a  mind  of 
inferior  intelligence,  and  cowardly  principles. 

"I  certainly  fancied  I  had  good  authority  for  saying,  'I  presumed 
orders  hod  been  given  for  a  treatment  difTerent  from  what  was  re- 
ceived by  the  felons  on  board;  and,  in  fact,  there  ia  actually* 
more  difTerence  existing,  than  I  really  relish;  for  they  receive 
each  two  loaves  of  white  bread  per  week,  whereas  the  state  pris- 
oners obtain  none.  From  the  surgeon,  Mr.  Williams,  we  have 
repeatedly  received  abusive  language,  that  savors  more  of  the  Bil- 


S' 


\t 


I 


•:.■■]' 


..1, 


'i 


m,\:i 


I 

i 


,  ^^'ii ;.;:t '!• 


m  ■> 


-■.  n 


i 


•Ill     li  ■;;.  ■•  ■ta.       .'    ',     ' 


l^i 


■  'i 


1  ,  -:  (-'.S    '  • :       K<.' 
is -I  '^X    i-'  .vjS''" 


fvjl 


k  i 


O.)0 


M; TTER.-;    FROM    V.   D.    I.. 


lingi^gnlccrcfttarc,  Ihnn  tbo  gcnllcmnn;  nml  I  nrdcntly  hope  n  rc- 
movnl  from  his  proximity  will  soon  bo  eflectcd,  though  it  be  into 
perpcluol  slnvcry. 

"In  n  former  h^Ucr  T  pnrticulnrly  described  our  condition;  not 
one  eylhiblc  of  which,  although  repugnant  to  the  nuthoritics,  nm  I 
willing  to  retract. 

**And  now,  in  rrply  to  your  own  note,  I  would  merely  eay,  that 
I  am  heartily  Korry  for  huvinp;  given  as  much  trouble,  ncceesary 
or  unnecessary,  as  I  have  already  douc,  to  oilher  p'irty;  and  shall, 
for  the  future,  endeavor,  aa  much  as  possible,   to  abstain  from  i(. 

"I  would  here  beg  to  tender,  not  only  my  own,  but  all  my  coim- 
trymcn'e  gralilude,  for  the  kindnofR  and  gcncroe'ity  with  which 
you  soctncd  to  have  been  actuated  in  espousing  our  causes,  while, 
my  dear  (<ir,  not  only  for  myeell',  but  in  behalf  of  Butlcring  hifman- 
ity,  I  subscribe  myself 

"Yours  truly, 

"BENJAMIN  WAIT. 

**Josepii  Hume,  Esq.  M.  P.,  London." 

Of  these  letters  I  retained  copies;  and  a  few  days 
after  hadanopportunity  of  exhibiting  them  to  Mr.  Cap- 
per, the  principal  superintendent,  who  i.ad  come  to  the 
hulks  on  a  visit  of  enquiry,  and  remained  for  a  week. 
He  arrived  on  Saturday,  and  on  Sunday  he  sent  for 
me,  while  wo  were  in  the  chapel  listening  to  the  mur- 
der of  the  story  of  Joseph,  by  an  imbecile  old, priest, 
who  occupied  five  Sabbaths  in  its  relation.  I  had  not 
been  informed  of  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Capper,  and  con- 
sequently did  not  know  for  what  purpose  1  was  called 
from  that  inferesting  service,  by  the  convict-dressed ser- 
,vant,  who  had  merely  announced  that  *'VVait  was 
wanted."  I  followed,  and  was  ushered  into  a  finely 
fitted  up  apartment,  where  I  observed  a  large,  elderly 
marii  seated  at  a  table  apparently  deeply  engaged  in 
the  perusal   and  checking  of  accounts.     The  convict 


.t 


LKTTr;!!;!    FJIOM    V.   [).    I,, 


•22a 


lopc  n  rc- 
it  be  into 

ilion;  not 
ties,  nni  I 

J  say,  tbat 
neccasury 
and  Bball, 

liii  from  il. 

I  my  co\in- 

^ith  wbicb 

.8C3,  while, 

ng  hiiman- 


WAIT. 

few  (lays 
,  Mr.  Cnp- 
>mo  to  tlic 
I*  a  week. 
0  sent  for 

the  nua-- 
old, priest, 

I  had  not 
,  and  con- 
was  called 
ressed  ser- 
Wait  was 
to  a  finely 
re,  elderly 
ngaged  in 
'he  convict 


•servant,  (all  the  ofhccrs  hulonging  to  any  of  those  es- 
tablishments have  each  one  or  more  servants  selected 
from  among  the  convicts,  who  do  nothing  but  attend 
tiieir  master's  bidding,)  led  mo  to  the  middle  of  the 
room,  and  touching  his  hat,  said,  "this  is  Wait,  sir,'" 
then  retired,  without  having  attracted  the  slightest  at- 
tention from  the  man  of  accounts. 

1  stood  for  some  minutes,  until  1  became  exhausted, 
when  I  walked  to  the  window,  endeavoring  to  attract 
notice;  but,  without  looking  up,  he  said,  "Wait,  sit 
down,  and  I  will  talk  lo  you  presently;'''  then  contin- 
ued his  employment.  I  sat  down,  happy  in  the  privi- 
lege, and  remained  some  half  hour  or  more,  before  the 
ominous  silence  was  ngain  broken.  I  mention  this  in- 
cident, as  it  is  what  I  conceive  to  be  a  pretty  fair  speci- 
men of  the  gcmeral  manners  of  English  business  men, 
which  they  practice  more  for  the  purpose  of  being 
thought  eccentric,  than  through  an  engrossed  attention; 
tor  I  have  been  introduced  to  perhaps  a  score  of  men 
in  the  same  manner  since,  v/ho  have  invariably  conduc- 
ted as  though  one  rule  governed  all,  while  in  some 
cases  not  the  slightest  occasion  could  be  discovered  for 
such  abstractedness. 

When  Mr.  Capper  had  apparently  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  it  was  necessary  to  make  himself  known, 
he  surprised  me  by  saying,  "well.  Wait,  what  did  you 
want  to  say  to  me?"  I  replied,  that  I  had  not  intimated 
to  ony  person  a  desire  to  speak  with  him,  in  fact,  did 
not  know  him  whom*  I  had  the  honor  of  addressing. 
"Oh,  yes!  yes,  T  wanted  to  talk  with  you;  I  believe 
you  are  one  of  the  men  sent  from  Upper  Canada  for 


•■  1: 

s, 

,  I 


■■  .i 

■     I  •  ; 


j; 


I 


■?'• 


■[ 


'  ;;i  < 


.m 


i' 


I  t 


.'  ^ 


■S.  : 


:f  i«- 


1,  ' 


f4?!''|- 


...J 


:i/ 


I 


4  J . 


r., 

f.' 


I 


J        '     '        '      1  -  .   't? 


:><    j' 


^M 


I     '■ 


4  )'■ 


221 


LKTTERS    FllO.M    V.    D.    I,. 


riot."  I  answered,  that  I  harl  been  transported  loi 
political  ofTerices,  and  would  be  glad  to  know  the  gen- 
tleman who  had  been  kind  enough  to  desire  to  speak 
to  mo.  "Oh,  1  am  the  princi|);d  snporintendi!Jit  of  the 
liulks,  Mr.  Capper,  and  I  did  not  know  but  you  had 
some  complaints  to  make  concerning  your  treatment 
by  the  ofliccrs."  I  told  him  I  had  no  complaint  to 
make  against  any  onicer  save  the  Surgeon,  who  had 
not  only  treated  im  siiamuruUy,  but  had  likewise  made 
some  misrepresentations  at  the  Secretary's  ollice, 
which  [  desired  ho  would  inqiTiro  into  and  rectify.  1 
also  requested  him  to  inform  mo  what  had  been  done 
with  fuurlccn  letters,  that  we  had  written  and  sent 
through  his  ofiico,  for  America;  and  which  were  to 
have  been  put  in  tlie  hands  of  our  agents  in  London, 
who  had  been  informed  such  letters  were  to  come  for 
them,  to  forward,  some  weeks  since;  which,  however, 
had  not  been  received  by  them.  lie  replied,  that  he 
had  delivered  them,  but  two  hours  belbrc  leaving  Lon- 
don. I  desired  permission  to  stop  to  the  ward  and  bring 
the  letters  that  had  passed,  between  the  Secretary,  Mr. 
Hume,  and  myself.  These  he  perused,  and  promised 
to  enquire  into  the  facts;  but,  says  he,  **Mi'.  Williams 
says  you  have  insulted  him;  yet  1  conceive  that  it  is 
only  your  American  manners  he  kicks  at;  and  of 
course,  you  will,  for  the  future,  be  less  blunt  in  addres- 
sing him.  Although  you  may  have  written  nothing  but 
what  is  positively  true,  yet  it  would  have  been  better  for 
you  to  have  been  silent,  or,  at  least,  not  to  have  ad- 
dressed Hume;  for  all  ho  desires  is  to  obtain  some- 
thing to  use  in  bolstering  up  his  decaying  reputation. 


^: .  : 


MOTTKUS    FROM    V.   I).    L. 


ted  ioi 
ie  gcn- 

spcak 
:  of  tho 
oil  haci 
mtmcnt 
l.'iint  to 
^ho  had 
e  made 

odice, 
tify.  1 
en  done 
id  .slmU 
kvorc  to 
London, 
ornc  for 
owever, 

that  he 
nQ  Lon- 
nd  bring 
ary,  Mr. 
promised 
^Villiams 
■hat  it  is 
;  and  of 
11  addrcs- 
thing  but 
better  for 

have  ad- 
lin  some- 
?putation. 


Perhaps  it  woidd  bo  bolter  for  you  to  cut  his  ac(iur\in- 
tanco  now;  for  [  can  asf.uro  you,  that  wh(>'n  he  has  got 
all  lie  can  tliat  may  answer  hiy  ends,  h(^  will  abandon 
you  to  filiift  for  yourself,  ibo  wor  :e  for  his  interference. 
The  secretary  has  b'jeii  drawn  into  an  error  by  .jome- 
body,  and  I  will  ;'/t  hi)n  rl,^^ht;  I  will  come  to  your 
ward  tomorrow,  irh^n  I  want  ^-ou  all  in.*' 

On  the  followin,^  day  ho  came,  attended  by  Mr. 
Nichobon,  ?dr.  Williams,  and  other.';  and  tlie  scene 
that  took  [)laeo  [  eanjiot  omit,  though  I  f::ar  you  will 
deem  it  too  o^ot"  lie-d  or  'Vivojou'^];  vet  it  rrocy  t'^  nrov(; 
a  partieidar  Ir'iit  of  I'lngli^Ii  ehai'\'jtcrj  that  I  ai.i  ".ery 
dcairous  of  Inldiiirj  up  to  rjcorn. 

Al'ter  we  had  l;een  mu.'tered  in  .single  i\\>'.f  Mr. 
Capper  e.\;iiviiii(^d  the  ward,  and  questioned  each  one 
closely,  as  t )  h.'w  tlioy  fared,  were  treated  &c.  Ja 
our  answers  he  found  no  faltering  or  c  juivocation. 
Me  also  ennui  re  1  ho'v  the  mistake  had  oecurcd  rela- 
tive to  tho  .SLOvt;-  I  tild  him  I  thought  .Mr.  William.^ 
could  bes:t  c>:pl.\in  th:it,  as  he  had  originated  it,  who 
replied,  that  he  had  oi'd;.'red  one,  bat  soon  after,  think- 
ing we  mi",ht  burn  up  th.e  ship,  he  had  countermanded 
it.  "Ah!  iadced'-!  said  }.1y.  ('.,  "you  then  did  give 
W'ait  occasion  for  charging  you  with  known  faLiehootlj 
and  I  discover,  too,  t!>at  he  ha^  h;.id  reason  for  his 
complaints  of  cold,  Vvhieh  would  be  readily  obviated, 
by  hanging  canvass  along  tho  grating;  and  I  wisii  it 
attended  to  immediately."  Tliis  suggestion  was  com- 
plied with,  but  not  until  the  eloicnth  hour;  for  two 
days  afterward,  a  fresh  supply  of  convicts  from  Lon- 
don, filled  the  opposite  and  adjacent  wards,  so  that  we 
15 


'irrrrairiin 


\  i 


■Hll;:^ 


••I  • 


1 1 


li  ■». 


H 


4  :\  ' 


. -R' '  •  ""'•lii 


i 


^'.|-^ 


J    i  I 


■} 


1-  ■   -1     '. 


m'^^.i 


•J'^H 


LETTERS    FK03I    V.   D.    L. 


woru  freed  from  cold;  but  on  the  other  hand,  were  con- 
fused, and  kept  in  excitement,  by  the  continual  swear- 
ing, fighting,  and  clamor  of  our  neighbors;  yet  it  gave 
us  a  fair  opportunity  of  learning  the  character,  and  re- 
marking the  conduct  of  the  wretches  who  inhabit  those 
hot  beds  of  iniquity.  But  to  close  the  interview,  Mr. 
Williams  desired  to  learn  whether  the  letters  of  com- 
plaint were  written  at  the  request  of  my  companions, 
or  at  my  own  instanee;  "an  individual  inquiry  v/ould 
be  most  satisfactory,  I  thought,  as  all  were  present, 
and  1  was  sure  they  would  answer  without  fear.''^ 
"Yes,"  said  I\Ir.  W.  "if  their  audacity  is  equal  to  yours,. 
I  know,  already,  what  they  v/ill  say.*'  "I  dare  say 
you  do,''  I  replied,  "but  conscious  rectitude  and  iru/h 
needs  not  the  aid  of  impudence  or  scurrility.''  Turn- 
ing to  Mr.  C.  he  said,  "did  you  ever  hear  such  inso- 
lence from  a  convict;"  then  orderetl  me  from  the  ward, 
that  the  men  need  not  be  "overawed"  by  my  presence, 
or  taught  "eflrontery,"  by  my  exam.ple.  The  evidence 
went  to  corroborate  my  statements  fully.  Jt  vv'as,  then, 
"no  more  than  [he]  expected;  but  there  was  that  hon- 
est Beemer,  who  would  not  endorse  [my]  doings;  for 
he  had  already  exposed  our  characters,  in  their  true 
colors."  "Indeed!  I  was  glad  to  hear  he  had  done 
it  truly;  but  was  fearful,  from  late  discoveries,  that 
truth  would  be  sadly  desecrated,  by  being  associated 
with  his,  and  certain  other  names;  yet  1  felt  as  fear- 
less of  the  ^expose''  threatened,  as  I  did  of  the  windy,  un- 
gallant  conduct,  I  sometimes  unnecessarily  witnessed." 
Mr.  C.  soon  terminated  these  retorts,  and  left  us  to  our 
own  private  musings  and  consultations,  which  resulted 


n  «' 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


2 re  con- 
i  swear- 
it  gave 
and  rc- 
3it  those 
2W,  Mr. 
of  com- 
)anions, 
y  would 
present, 
t  fear.-^ 

0  yours., 
lire  say 
ad  Iruth 

Turn- 
Ai  inso- 
[le  ward, 
rose  nee, 
3  vide  nee 
LIS,  then, 
hat  hon- 
ngs;  for 
lieir  true 
ad  done 
ies,  that 
ssociated 
as  fear- 
indy,  un- 
-ncssed." 
us  to  our 

1  resulted 


ill  a  short  note  to  Mr.  Ilumc,  signed  by  all  but  Becmer, 
corroborative  of  what  I  had  written. 

A  day  or  two  subsequent,  the  following  document 
was  signed  and  sent  to  the  Secretary's  oflice. 

"To  lliG  Right  Honorable  Lord  John  llusscll, 

"Secretary  of  Slate  for  the  Homo  Department: 
"My  Lord: 

"We  have  to  request  your  Lordship  will  favor  us  with  nn  ex- 
planation, why  we,  being  Statj;  Puisonkus,  arc  confined  in  uftlon 
prison,  and  treated  and  drccifiod  as  felons.  We  know  of  no  prece- 
dent for  such  treatment,  and  consequently  feel  surprised  to  find 
ourselves  thus  circumstanced  by  the  Ijritisli  government,  whose 
boast  has  alwnj's  been,  a  libjrality  to  prisoners  o^ stale,  and  thcre- 
foic  enter  our  solemn  prott id  against  it. 

"We  have  the  honor  to  be 

"your  Lordship's  ob't  scrv'ls. 
"'J3ENJAM1N  WAIT, 
"SAM'L  CliANDLEU, 
"ALEX'll  McLEOD, 
"JOHN  VERx^ON, 
"JOHN  J.  McNULl'Y, 
"JAMES  WAGGONER, 
"NORMAN   MALLARY, 
"GEO.  B.  COOLEY, 
"GARRET  VAN  CAMP,* 

Wo  wore  induced  to  hazard  the  foregoing  protest, 
by  the  discovery,  through  tho  Under  Secretary's  let- 
ter, of  the  rancorous  feeling  existing  lov/ard  us  in  the 
hearts  of  men  in  high  office.  Not  that  Blr.  Maulo  was, 
o'i  lumselj\  a  man  of  much  importance;  but  sentiments 
written  by  him  in  a  public  capacity,  must  have  ema- 
nated from  his  superior  in  ollice;  indeed,  he  intimated 


*Jame3  Gemniol  bcirig  in  the  hospital,  was  not  applied  to  fbr 
his  signature. 


!■•!'; 


u\ 


^1 


vm 


J: 

r'ij 

I. 

ilj 

s 

i,  i' 

i 
i 

1 

(1' 


\\- 


\  i  - 


f1> 

,:  *  I' 
Y 


■     i 


i 


'%   ' 


1    ., 


:•      -y    '*' 


!  MAJ^ 


'it'.:'  i  ■ 


\  ii.i&i?'     ■•  .    ■'■■ 


r   - 

t* 

M-'': 

■v 

P^ 

■i:n- 

:■■ }  ■ 

228 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


as  much;  and  we  therefore  held  Lord  John  accounta- 
ble for  the  conduct  of  his  immediate  servant.  And, 
although  our  friends  in  New-Gate  might  be  successful, 
yet  our  cases  were  hopeless,  and  could  not  be  made 
worse. 

We  felt  assured  of  harsh  measures;  for  we  knew 
that  when  the  ministers  were  onco  so  egrcgiously  of- 
fended, they  would  scarcely  stop  short  of  some  exces- 
sive stretch  of  power;  for  in  the  case  of  prison  disci- 
pline, they  have  absolute  control.  There  is  Jio  censu- 
ring power — no  "public  opinion"  to  govern  in  that. 
We  saw  the  die  was  cast,  and  the  result  disadvanta- 
geou.i  to  us;  and  that  boldness  coul  I  not  augment  our 
misfortune,  therefore  determined  to  combat  every  ir- 
regularity, and  submit  to  no  onerous  proceeding,  with- 
out exhibiting,  at  least,  a  spirit  of  firm  resistance.  I 
dare  say  this  spirit  conduced  largely  toward  producing 
our  immediate  removal  into  transportation;  for  the  go- 
vernment knew  full  well,  that,  in  a  colony  so  distant, 
and  under  arbitrary  administration,  all  compl.'vint 
wotdd  be  futile — ncn/,  would  bo  considered  insolence, 
and  punished  rigorously. 

Many  letters  passed  between  ourselves  and  solicitors, 
as  well  as  fellow  countrymen  in  New-Crate;  but  my 
correspondence  is  already  too  much  extended,  and  I 
must  omit  all,  or,  at  least,  extract  vcrij  hricjhj;  for  I 
have  much  still  to  relale. 

Mr.  Greetham  very  frequently  came  off,  not  only 
to  see  and  bring  us  letters,  but  also  as  Coroner,  to  hold 
inquests  on  the  bodies  of  all  who  died  on  board;  which, 
however,  i  did  not  know  was  the  case,  until  I  one  day 


LETTi  RS    PROM    V.  D.   L. 


229 


observed  a  dozen  rough  looking  boatmen  come  to  the 
hulk,  followed  by  him,  and  proceed  to  the  hospital, 
where  they  remained  perhaps  five  minutes,  when  they 
left  the  .shi[)  as  they  came,  each  in  his  own  boat.  Mr. 
G.  having  some  letters  to  deliver  to  me,  gave  an  op- 
portunity for  inquiring  what  the  visit  of  those  men 
meant?  whenl  was  informed  that  they  had  constituted 
a  coroner's  jury,  which  he  was  frequently  under  the 
nccossify  of  calling,  as  the  government  orders  an  in- 
quest to  be  held  upon  the  bodies  of  all  persons  who  die 
in  any  of  its  prisons  or  charity  institutions,  which  ope- 
rates as  a  sort  of  quietus  upon  the  minds  of  the  people, 
who  might  otheiv/isc  clamor  about  "foul  play.''  But, 
then,  if  1  should  guess  iVom  the  appearance  of  these 
men,  they  seldom^  if  ever,  give  you  the  trouble  of  en- 
quiry, and  never  clicii;  mal-practice.  In  fact,  they 
did  not  spend  time  enough  on  board  to  more  than  be 
empannelled  and  say,  ''died  by  a  visitation  of  God;" 
and  that  verdict  must  have  been  dictated,  for  they  look- 
ed too  ignorant  to  originate  such  a  conception.  "It  is 
indeed  very  true,  that  they  never  give  me  any  trouble 
in  explanations,  for  they  are  generally  men  who  re- 
quire all  their  time  for  the  support  of  a  family;  and, 
therefore,  the  less  delay  the  better."  1  was  told  that 
the  coroner  obtained  two  pounds  for  each  verdict,  and 
sat  upon  some  one  and  a  half  hundred  cases  yearly, 
without  once  elucidating  the  slightest  irregularity.  The 
pay  assists  in  enriching  one  individual,  while  it  im- 
poverishes many,  without  the  most  trifling  beneficial 
results! 


■  .•  > 


{ti'fi 


ii 


if 

i  'i 
t    -  -   . 


u 


-A 


■i  h 


,r-  1 


I. 


4« 


1 1 


■  mv 


•1  if 


,';r 


•'"<■;■  I,  v;.  ■■: 


c   'la 


J 


'■■ill;  ^ 


■t 


■Mi:  ■ 


hi'"'*    ^^;'y-o. 


230 


LETTERS    FUOM    V.  D.   L. 


The  letters  brought  off  wore  from  Mr.    Ashurst, 

Messrs.  Wixon,  I\Iillcr,  and  Parker.     Mr.  A.  says: 

"The  cases  of  <bc  t\vclvc  prisoners  here,  (London,)  ha\c  been 
very  fully  nrg-iieJ  in  the  court  of  Exchequer,  and,  on  Tucsdny 
last,  adjourned  until  next  term.  Tlie  confieq'.icncc  of  this  will  be, 
that  the  twelve  in  London  will  reninin  bere,  and  you  and  tour 

COMPANION^    WILL   NOT    BU    SKNT   OUT    OF   Tlir,    COUNTRY. 

"I  oball  ti-y  and  bavc  you  broiigbt  to  London,  but  fear  tboro  iw 
but  gligbt  Lopcfj  of  ■'hat.     Novcrtbclcf^?,  conlinuc  your  conmiuni-- 
cntionf,  for  I  want  full  mutcrink',  and  address  tbcm  to  me  as  your 
nttornoy.     *     *     *■ 

"It  IB  said  you  petitioned  f>r  pardon,  nnd  coneented  to  tbe  con- 
ditions of  your  pardon.  I  'wish  your  attention  to  tbat  point  par- 
ticularly."    ''     *     * 

Mr.  Wixon  details  tho  course  pursued  iu  bringing 

their  casc3  into  court,   and  linally  the  adjournment, 

when  he  say?: 

"If  we  are  eventually  unrjucccssful,  we  will  yet  have  gained  one 
great  point,  whicb  >vill  ccnvJacc  Ibc  v.orld  tbnt  icp.  have  been 
unjustly  dealt  with;  and  obtain  tbo  ."^ymjyoliuj  of  tbe  good  in 
every  cov.niy  on  Ibc  face  of  tbo  globe.     *     *     *' 

"I  bave  tbis  day  fxen  one  of  your  letters,  wJiicb  is  to  be  pub- 
lished in  the  'True  Sun,'  a  paper  warmly  enlisted  in  our  inte- 
rcotK.     *     *     * 

"By  the  bye,  I  bavc  exposed  Capt.  Morton,  nnd  tbe  Capt.  Ross 
voj'age  in  {^ood  style,  and  if  he  is  not  Batiefied  witb  tbat  he  cnn 
have  more  yet;  so  I  tbink  after  all,  my  way  of  duelling  is  better 
than  yours,     ^f     *     -^ 

"There  is  warm  work  in  Canada  about  these  days.  Hanging 
and  shooting  is  the  order  of  tbe  day  there;  but  we  arc  snugly  out 
of  harm's  way  liere.     *"     '"     * 

"I  learned  in  court,  that  ray  sentence  \b  fourteen  years  after  ar- 
rival in  V.  D.  L. — Mr.  Watson's  is  'life,'  and  the  others  arc  yet 
as  ignorant  as  ever  of  what  time  they  are  ordered^  (not  sentenced) 
for."     *     *f     ** 


lA  If 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


•  ) 


231 


shurst, 

;ays: 

avo  beon 

Tuccdny 

will  be, 

lND  youn 

lUoro  iH 
onminni-  • 
0  cs  your 

the  con- 
oint  par- 


O       D 

I'nmciit. 


nincd  onr- 

'lavc  been 

good   in 

)  be  pub- 
oiir  inte- 

npt.  Ross 
t  he  can 
la  better 

Hanging 
iiigly  out 

aftei'  ar- 
a  are  yet 
mtcnced) 


This   Mr.  \Vi::on   liad  but  one  log,  was  a  Baptist 

clergyman,  and  who.:;j  only  crime  was,  having  ac- 
ted as  assistant  cuitor  of  the  "Correspondent  and  Ad- 
vocate," during  the  absence  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  the 
proprietor,  in  England,  a.s  an  agent  for  the  people, 
some  years  prior  to  the  insurrection. 

It  would  indeed  appear,  that  Arthur  was  rather  in  a 
strait  for  subjects  of  cruelty,  v.'hen  ho  was  ordered 
for  transportation;  but  that  is  not  the  greatest  curiosity 
of  his  case.  His  tinie  of  durance  v/ould  not  commence 
until  arrival  in  the  penal  Island;  and  he  might  be  de- 
tained on  the  way  an  equal  length  of  time,  while  ag^: 
and  infirmity  vv^cro  fast  hastening  him  to  the  grave. 

L.  W.  Miller,  tlie  gallant  3'oung  American  of  whom 
you  have  heard  so  much,  concludes  his  letter  witl> 
some  just  strictures  upon  tlio  British  government,  by 
saying, 

"We  have  bcca  in  a  ontiniiod  cxcitemeni,  owiny  to  ihc  ^^lo- 
rioiis  unceri'ilntu  of  Ihc  lair.^  '"  '■'''  *■  What  the  result  of  liii? 
nlfnir  will  be,  no  one  cnu  tell;  I  guess,  however.  It  will  have  c. 
tendency  to  open  the  eyea  of  Britons,  and  put  a  stop  to  their  boast- 
ing of  the  superiority  of  English  laws  and  institutions  over  those 
of  other  nations,  inaiimuch  a;j  that  ^excellent  safeguard  of  the  lib- 
'■■rlij  of  iliG  svJijcct,  the  habeas  corpus  act.,^  so  long  lauded  to  the 
f^kiea,  hao  been  completely  67io?07i  vp  at  lafjt,  and  proved  a  mere 
phaniom — n  ^will  o^  iJuncigp.'  *'  *  "  Yet  I  flatter  myself-, 
notwithfitanding  the  decision  of  the  Queen's  Bench  Judges  against 
us,  that  our  cases  are  not  qaito  as  bad  as  they  appear,"  &c.  Sec. 

Poor  fellow!  He  felt  quite  sanguine  in  the  hope  of 
a  happy  result,  to  the  enquiry,  but  was  disappointed; 
for  his  case,  witTi  John  Grant's.^  being  similar  to  ours, 
produced  the  same  end — we  being  sent  away  previous 
to  the  termination    of  the  instituted  investigation,  the 


m 


I  t: 


i-'i^fi 


v\..y: 


r  Sr-.-Z'r  ff-KMSTTa?,-.--"— v-^   :..,^:  „ 


\      I 


1' 


■HP- 


/^i^'r  ^  -I 


'i:' 


#l'- 

'  ■ 

f. 

f;f: 

V  : 

Iv 

'^': 

r*- 

■i 

\ 

f  .  't' 

h  I 

i't^  a! 

l' 

■  -  A.i    i-i'  ■ 

I  J 

*      i! . 

■  * 

¥\' 

f,  '• , 

■  '■  ■■:i,i 

'!;i1l 


'.1' 


1        ■ 


f     > 


IK; 


.,;   ..t^ 


n'-  '^ 


>^'f- 


■ifo. 


i  :i 


Fining- 


232 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


Ministry  would  not  hazard  the  imputation  of  partiality, 
by  liberating  him  at  tho  same  lime  with  Wixon,  Par- 
ker, and  their  parly.  Tho}^,  tiiereforc,  (Miller  and 
Grant.)  with  Becnior,  (llic  traitor,)  and  Gommcl, 
(whom  wo  had  left  sick  in  the  York  hospital,)  arrived 
at  Hobarttown  in  January,  of  IS  10,  and  were  sent  on 
the  roads  at  work,  in  horrid  dcslitulion  and  want. 

In  addilioa  to  tlicso  letl(M's,  we  received  occasional 
numbcr.s  of  the  ''Weekly  True  Sun,*"  wliich  contained 
all  the  arguments  made  in  tlie  cases  of  our  friends,  a 
perusal  of  which  not  only  led  us,  but  every  unpreju- 
diced mind,  to  anticipate  a  release. 

An  officer  of  the  hulk  handing  mo  a  })aper  in  which 
the  argument:;  wore  jjublishcd,  said,  "well,  Wait,  that 
paper  containrj  joyful  intelligence  for  you.  Your 
countrymen  in  New-Gale,  although  not  yet  acquitted, 
will  bo  vc  r\'  soon;  for  the  [ir2;umenl:j  against  the  le-^ 
gaUtij  of  transj-orting  from  Upper  C;inada,  are  so  con- 
clusive, that,   if  the  (lueen  is  not  too  d- biy  afraid 

of  3-ou,  she  will  bo  glad  to  send  you  ail  homo  again^ 
and  think  herself  thu::  well  rid  of  Arthur's  blunders.'-' 
But  llieso  hojics  and  opinions  v;ere  formed  on  tho  pre- 
sumptive evidence  of  England's  doing  justice;  and, 
consequently  were  illusory — for  loc  did  not  remain  to 
learn  the  conclusion — but  v/ere  sent  hastily  away. 

I  must  hero  conclude  this  long  letter,  and  my  nar- 
rative of  events  while  in  England,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  hulk  anecdotes,  which  1  will  briefly  relate  in 
mv  next.  • 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  dec.  &c. 


■r    f  "i  At-    -i  ■  i^  ;    ■    ;.   %■' 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


233 


LETTER  XIV. 

AsiiGRovE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  D.  L. 

Mat/,  1841. 
To -, 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  will  now  rnorcly  relate  a  few  inci- 
dents lliat  came  under  my  notice  before  cmbtaking  for 
this  place.  I  iiave  before  liinted  that  Beemcr  was  the 
traitor  to  whom  wo  owed  our  want  of  success  i.i  a  cer- 
tain allcnip'  at  cea.  Tlie  discovery  was  clicctcd  in  the 
following  nnniicr:  wo  h;id  received  the  ibrm  of  a  pe- 
tition from  Mr.  7\shar:.;t,  dosiring  tlio  government  to 
place  in  his  hand.;  all  letters  or  communicalions  di- 
rected to  any  of  us,  that  might  arrive  in  England,  and 
we  were  requested  to  sign  and  return  it.  Deemer  refu- 
sed; which,  with  h.i.j  conduct  in  writing  in  another 
ward  distinct  from  our;?,  under  the  eye  of  the  Surgeon, 
as  well  as  some  other  appearances,  made  us  suspect 
his  faithlessness  raihcr  m.oro  strongly  tlian  before.  The 
consequence  was,  a  close  and  systematic  investigation 
among  ourselves  in  his  presence,,  when  one  complete 
chain  of  treachery  and  false  conduct  was  discovered, 
unbroken  since  our  embarkation  at  Niagara.  The  first 
evidence  was  given  by  G.  Van  Camp,  a  poor,  inno- 
cent, simple,  (luiet  Dutclmian,  who  was  Beemer's  chain 
companion  on  our  passage  from  Quebec;  and  this  was 
followed  up  by  a  forcible  seizure  of  his  port-folio,  which 
contained  a  petition  to  Lord  John  Russell,  tracing  his 
own  steps  throughout  the  whole  course,   and  claiming 


condi 


In  the 


freedom  as  the  boon  of  his  fratricidal 

petition,  he  also  presumed  upon  the  commendations 


r! 


I  :  ''■ 


:(.:•? 


Oi 


:,"( 


231 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.  L. 


f«Vl. 


^^'1^1 


':  J, 


,'^'^ 


■   "Mil 

,t.  !• 


13;- 


■1:^f  f  i    i'ltfT    ■ 


Dr.  Williams  and  Capt.  Morton;  but  this  did  not  end 
his  comninnication,  for  he  likewise  attempted  to  brand 
our  characters  with  iiiiamy,  by  charges  of  a  di.shon- 
oro,blo  nature,  v/hich  could,  in  reality,  attach  to  none 
but  himself.  This  discovery  put  us  on  the  qui  vine: 
and  by  a  little  inducement,  we  obtained  a  perusal  of 
all  his  correspondence,  from  the  fellow  he  employed  to 
write  for  him,  as  he  was  very  illiterate,  only  able  to 
write,  yet  not  to  compose  or  spell — thus  being  enabled 
to  counteract  all  his  malice  through  the  aid  of  our 
countrvmen  in  London. 

Elucidative  of  the  utter  failure,  through  the  incni- 
ciency  of  the  British  penal  code,  in  the  attempts  to  hu- 
manize hardened  villains  by  promiscuously  congrega- 
ting them  in  those  hulks,  1  have  a  largo  collection  of 
anecdotes,  but  [  cannot  copy  them  now — for  ]  want  to 
devote  this  letter  to  other  descriptions — suffice  it  there- 
fore to  say,  that  I  will  guarantee,  if  a  man  is  sent  there 
for  two  years,  though  naturally  circumspect  in  his 
conduct,  that  he  goes  out  a  polished  villain,  zi gradual e 
from  the  college  of  crime.  The  mnjority  of  the  resi- 
dents are  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  thirty, 
though  some  as  young  as  twelve;  and  a  ^gw  thin, 
toothless,  grey  headed,  wretched  looking  fellows,  num- 
bering at  least  sixty  extended  winters^  arc  seen  hobbling 
about  the  decks  the  whole  day,  submitting  calmly  to 
the  insults  and  gibes  of  the  officers  and  younger  felons, 
as  if  it  was  their  *'meat  and  their  drink." 

The  most  surprising  sight  and  condemnatory  of  Brit- 
ish institutions,  that  I  v/itnessed,  was  the  arrival,  at  the 
hulk,  on  their  way  to  the  Penetentiary  on  the  Isle  of 


■*;: 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


23i 


not  end 

0  brand 
dirjhon- 
to  none 
mi  vwc: 
rusal  of 
iloycd  to 

able  to 
enabled 

1  of  our 

ic  inc  fli- 
ts to  hu- 
DDgvega- 
jction  of 
1  want  to 

it  the  re- 
en  t  there 
2i  in  his 
graduate 
the  resi- 
d  thirty, 
'ew  thin, 
ws,  nurn- 

hobbling 
calmly  to 
er  felons, 

yofB  rit- 
ual, at  the 
e  Isle  of 


Wight,    of  fifty  ROYS  under  ten — an  ago  in  which 
it  can  £carccly  be  imagined  they  wore  cupablcof  com- 
mltting  offences  worthy  the  sentence  of  transportation, 
but  it  was  so — for  th;jy  were  all  condemned  for  seven, 
ton,  or  fourteen  years  to  Y.  D  L.  One  little  sprightly 
llllow,  who  said  his  ago  was  seven  years  and  five 
months;  I  took  a  fancy  to  enquire  of  concerning  his 
history — he  suprised  mo  by  saying  he  had  been  tried 
for  picking  a  gentleman's  pocket  of  a  piirrjc  containing 
nine  guineas  and  thirteen  sliillings  with  a  few  "//«/;- 
orthsP     But  how  in  the  name  of  common  L:ensc  could 
you  pick  a  mail's  pocket?  Why  you  could  scarce  reach 
his  waist.     But,  "oh  I  didn't  frisk  his  pocket — I  was 
in  a  stall  where  a  sells  rings — he  comicM  in,  and  picked 
out  one  that  suited  him — ^^just  as  he  was  going  to  pay 
for  it,  the  sliopman  called  him  over  to  t'other  end  of 
the  room,  and  I  whip't  up  his  purse  and  run'd  away 
with  it;  I  meets  m}''  sister  close  by  the  door,  and  slips 
it  into  her  apron,  and  she  goes  right  home  and  guv  it 
to  mother  but  I  run  on  till  a  Hrap'  nabbed  me  because 
I  was  running — the  gentleman  come  up  and  said  I 
stole  hV^jnirse,  they  frisked  me  and  couldn't  find  it;  but 
he  swore  I  took  it;  so  I  got  lagg'd  for  seven  j^ears. 
Mother  keeps  the  money,  tho',  and  I'm  sorry  I  couldn't 
have  the  bit  o'  plum  puddin  she  promised  me,  if  I  would 
get  her  a  good  swag  that  day."     Have  you  done  any 
thing  before?  "Oh  yes,  I  picked  up  a  handkerchief  and 
two  testers  the  day  before  and  mother  give  me  a  penny 
bunn  and  haporth  of  ?/«Ze."  Have  you  got  any  brothers? 
"Yes,  George  was  transported  with  father,  to  V.  D.  L,, 
for  taking  plate  from  the  Duke's  house;  and  I've  got 


,i:  it 


/.I 


.i'i,' 


*'.  ! 


<**•' 

i 

' ' » 

I  I 


rfiifv  ■  .. 


r 


^  '! 


■t. 


if-,!;  '  " 


^v^-r^r' 


•■;i  t%i  mS-'M^^ 

:;,,.,  -[fe:  ill' '■•'''''^i 


236 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


two  sisters,  one  in  the  house  of  correction,  and  one  at 
home,  who  goes  every  clay  for  mother's  quarircii  of 
rum  and  pot  oi' iia/c.'^  AV^hat!  a  father  and  hrother  in 
V.  D.  L.,  a  sister  in  the  house  of  correction,  and  you  on 
tliG  way  to  a  penctentiary?  *'no,  no;  Vm  transported." 
A  Dr.  Elliott,  stancHng  by,  explained  '*that  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  pass  the  sentence  of  transportation,  and  then 
leave  it  optional  with  the  ministry  to  retain  them  at  the 
Pcnetentiarics  or  send  them  on;  and  with  boys,  the  lat- 
ter is  frequriitly  (]on^^  when  tiiere  remains  but  a  few 
months  of  tlieir  sentciico  unexpired.*^  This  1  have 
found,  is  the  c;ise  with  mon  also,  two  of  whom  came 
in  the  same  ship  with  m^,  whose  sentence  expired  in 
six  montlis  after  arrival  liere. 

My  next  inquiry  was  of  the  one  I  took  to  be  the 
oldest;  lie  was  nine  years  and  some  months,  and  was 
* 'lagged  innoeently  for  ten  years  to  the  '7?c///'."  He  had 
no  parents.  "I  was  bound,  by  the  parish  warden,  to 
a  brush  maker,  who  beat  me  so  ujnnercifully  that  I 
couldn't  stny — so  ran'd  away  and  come  up  to  London, 
where  I  lay  in  a  cellar,  on  straw,  for  four  nights;  and 
could  get  nothing  to  cat  all  the  time.  One  day  I  was 
so  hungry  I  thought  I  should  starve;  so  I  begged  of 
some  gentlemen,  who  swore  at  me,  and  threatened  to 
send  me  to  the  work  house.  I  asked  some  ladies,  but 
they  wouldn't  give  me  any  tiling;  so  I  lay  down  on 
the  steps  of  a  house,  and  a  police  man  took  mo  to  a 
station  house.  I  cried,  and  told  him  1  was  hungry; 
but  he  wouldn't  give  mc  any  thing  to  eat  until  the 
next  day,  when  I  was  taken  to  the  inspectors.  I  told 
them  where  I  came  from,  and  who  my  master  was 


:Uu^  ;■•: 


LETTEIIS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


237 


id  one  at 

irirciL  of 

rot  1 10 V  in 

1(1  you  on 

sported.''" 

,  was  cus- 

and  then 

cm  at  tlio 

s,  the  lat- 

iLit  a  few 

s  I  have 

om  came 

xpircd  in 

to  be  the 
and  was 
''  He  had 
arden,  to 
dly  that  1 
)  London, 
ghts;  and 
day  I  wa3 
begged  of 
iatencd  to 
adies,  but 
down  on 
k  mo  to  a 
s  hungry; 
until  the 
•s.  I  told 
aster  was 


and  how  he  had  beat  mc.  They  sent  for  him,  and 
scolded  hiin — then  sent  me  back  witli  him.  lie  used 
nio  harder  than  ever,  but  gave  mo  a  new  pair  of  trow- 
sors.  1  soon  went  away  again,  but  lie  lullowed  mc,  and 
swore  I  stole  his  trowsers;  so  1  got  ten  years  '•lagging^ 
to  do,  for  it."  I  asked  him  if  he  would  go  back,  pro- 
viding they  would  allow  it,  and  j)Ut  up  with  his  mas- 
ter's beatings?  His  answer  was,  that  he  would  be  bet- 
ter ofl*,  and  w^ould  rather  be  Hogged  every  day,  than 
go  back  to  his  old  inatUer. 

These  boys  had  been  away  scarcely  a  v/cek  before 
the  'alter  mentioiK  d,  and  some  others,  were  sent  back 
to  the  hulk  as  irreclaimable  characters.  The  lads  said 
it  was  for  breaking  open  the  cellar  and  taking  some  po- 
tatoes to  roast,  and  some  of  the  boys  '''•come  ^7"  on  them. 

The  foregoing  is  a  scene  Americans  will  hardly  be- 
lieve; nevertheless  it  is  true,  and  not  of  rare  occur- 
rence either.  These  little  villains  have  mostly  been 
tutored  by  their  parents,  and  trained  to  theft  and  crime; 
and  between  five  and  eight  hundred  of  thorn  arc  annu- 
ally sent  out  to  this  island,  as  servant  boys  and  but- 
lers to  the  settlers. 

Among  the  arrivals  from  London,  (for  when  we 
were  on  the  hulk  it  was  the  season  for  replenishing,) 
was  a  band  of  wretched  looking  fellows,  clad  in  rags, 
(having  sold  all  their  better  clothing  to  our  country- 
men in  New-Gate,)  and  excessively  filthy,  with  beard 
apparently  a  month  old — clearly  exhibiting  the  imper- 
ative necessity  of  the  "two  preliminary  processes  of 
cutting  off  the  hair  and  assuming  prison  dress,"  in 
that  case  at  least. 


P?'j 


t 


•I      !     'I 


I 


;l 


■•■•\  I 
■'X  i 

m 

% 

■    V  i 

-■  'I, 

■  'tl: 

.J  J ; 


>t"\ 


:m 


I  i 


^ 


<•  ■  ■      'i  i 


iiiM'^  ■' 


\-:'; 


H,-M-      I;: 


■    ^    ■"11 


i'M. 


.  "ill?- '> i  '  'II  j- 
';!■■  <.;.-'■  ■v?i 


'M'  1,'    i 


Hi  5'  ■ 


23ft 


LETTtRW    FHOM    V.  D.  L. 


They  were  loiulcd  witli  galling  irons  and  sccincd  lo 
be  vveiglic'd  down  with  hunger  and  ratiguo.  I  stood 
near  the  quarter  deck  and  saw  thorn  searched.  Some 
liad  tobacco  and  money  stowed  away  in  their  ragfj, 
others  in  their  mouths  and  elsewhere;  but  lew  escaped 
with  a  shilling  lei't,  as  the  examiners  were  adepts  in 
the  search,  and  what  was  not  willingly  given  up,  was 
a  legal  prey  to  the  iindcr.  There  were  twenty-seven 
of  them  convicted  at  the  last  asrjize  in  London,  for 
street  robbery,  and  house  breaking;  and  were  all  sent 
on  the  same  ship  with  us,  to  this  j)lace;  after  turning  in, 
they  could  be  heard  until  very  late,  entertaining  tlieir 
hammock  neighbors  with  tales  of  their  vagrant  exploits, 
while  to  queijtion  them  about  their  offences,  you  would 
imagine  they  were  sulfering  v/rongfully,  forcibly  re- 
minding one  of  an  Irish  convict,  wlio  wished  to  elicit 
the  sympathy  oi  a  parjscr  by  for  a  '^pipe  of  tobacco  or 
a  sldlling.''  "JJut  pray,''  snys  tlio  accosted,  "what 
brought  you  hor-j?"'  "Oh,'"  answers  pat  with  a  menial 
touch  of  the  hat,  *'it  was  for  6/a/r/;/^j-  a  haltor,  that  I 
got  fourteen  years."  "What  a  hardship!''  repeats  the 
gentleman,  "here's  a  half  crown  for  you."  "Dut  atop," 
returns  pat,  whWo  fobbing  tlie  fihincr^  "I've  not  tould 
ye  that  a  horse  was  at  the  end  on't." 

The  hulk  rules  were  \q,\'y  strict — liie  cat  was  the 
sure  conccquencc  of  money  or  tobacco  being  found  in 
the  possesion  of  a  prisoner,  and  solitary  confmemcnt 
on  bread  and  water,  for  the  slightest  traflic — yet  money 
and  tobacco  were  among  them — but  they  commanded 
an  cxtraodinarily  high  value,  and  were  great  com- 
modities for  traflic;  for  instance,  a  penny  could  buy 


^cincd  lo 

I  stood 

Some 

cir  ragn, 

Lscapcd 

idopts  in 

lip,  was 

ity-scvcii 

don,  for 

2  all  J;CIll 

:rning  in, 
ling"  their 
.  c-\ploit.'j, 
ou  would 
•cibly  re- 
to  elicit 
Dbacco  or 
-1,  "what 
a  menial 
ii',  that  1 
spcats  the 
Jut  btop,'" 
not  tould 

wud  the 
found  in 
ifincmcnt 
ct  money 
Timanded 
cat  com- 
;ou!d  buy 


MCTTEllS    FROM    V.    D.    1.. 


tjno 


a  man's  daily  allowance  of  *M)rown  tommy'"  and  meat; 
or  a  **ha'j)enny"  liis  eliecsc  and  **swipos."  \Vh('n  the 
♦'shore  laborers"  were  jjassing  down  the  siiip':]  sides, 
an  oillccr,  usually  the  first  mate,  stood  at  the;  gang- 
way to  *'fri.sk"  tlicin,  to  prevent  their  carrying  any 
thing  on  shore  belonging  to  the  ship;  and  the  same 
precaution  was  taken  when  coming  on  board,  that  no 
tobacco,  or  other  illicit  articles,  might  be  brought  oil". 
An  Hibernian,  who  had  at  liomc?,  in  an  alfray,  received 
a  blow  on  the  head,  for  friendship's  sake,  that  cracked 
his  skull  ailucliiig  his  brain,  aiid  occasioning  fits  of 
hallucination,  was  bringing  in  his  mouth,  a  i^Jinall  por- 
tion of  the  forbidden  weed.  Unfortunately  the  oflicer, 
(iMitchartl,)  either  having  some  intimation  of  it  or  deep 
grudge  against  Jiim,  unceremoniously  thrust  his  fin- 
gers into  Pat's  mouth,  who,  as  unforinally  compressed 
them  rather  tightly.  The  male  f^itruck  the  man  in  the 
face;  the  blow  was  returned,  when  the  poor  Irishman 
was  brought  to  the  deck'  by  some  bystan(]*jrtj.  lie  was  ta- 
ken immediately  to  the  quarter  deck,  whore  he  received 
the  sentence  of  ''thirty-six  on  ihc  bare  back,  in  sight 
of  all  hands,  on  the  follov/ing  morning  at  eight  A.  M." 
Consequently,  at  the  hour  appointed,  the  men  were  all 
mustered  on  deck,  where  tho  poor  fellow  was  lashed 
to  the  rnizzcn  mast,  naked  to  the  waist,  prepared  to  re- 
ceive the  stripes  from  the  boatswain,  who  stood  await- 
ing orders  to  begin,  with  bis  cat  in  hand;  which  was, 
in  this  case,  a  stick  of  about  eighteen  inches  long,  with 
nine  thongs,  three  feet  long,  twisted  as  hard  as  wire, 
and  tho  thickness  of  a  man's  small  finger.  The  sur- 
geon, whose  duty  it  is  to  witnoss  these  scenes,  was  there 


•  '--'rt 


f 


\. 


■■'MiAitA-iMe^^.^.  ..w. 


0- 


'  1 


240 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


■rr   \ 


■;  ■        ■  V    '1  • 


i  ijJV'' '^ii-  ■* 


;•. 


and  the  commandant  also,  who  ofTcrcd  the  culprit  an 
abatement  of  one  half  the  sentence,  if  ho  would  hum- 
bly beg  the  pardon  of  the  oiFendcd  dignitar)-,  who  was 
likewise  present.  But  throwing  a  wild  gu/^e  upon 
him,  he  looked  the  rage  of  a  thousand  demons,  and 
told  them  to  do  their  worst,  and  he  would  *'yet  have 
the  hearts  blood  of  the  brute,''  who  really  was  a  con- 
catenation of  all  that  was  evil.  This  answer  was  con- 
sidered in.solence,  and  the  boatswain  was  ordered  to  lay 
it  on  without  forbearance.  He  ran  his  lingers  care- 
fully down  the  cat,  fjeparating  the  thongs,  so  as  to  give 
each  a  chance  to  do  its  duty;  then  whirling  the  whip 
about  his  head,  and  rising,  with  a  spring  forward,  gave 
the  first  blow,  that,  in  reality,  ought  to  have  counted 
nine.  It  told  a  horrible  tale  upon  the  back  of  the  poor 
fellow,  whose  skin  was  cut  through  in  a  dozen  places; 
while  he,  withouL  v/rithiiig,  cahijly  car-jt  his  eyes  about, 
as  if  to  ask,  "do  I  bear  it  well?  '  IJut  a  painful  thrill  ran 
through  the  crowd,  and  a  sudden  catching  of  I'lo  breath, 
or  sigh,  that  was  perfectly  audible.  The  blov/s  were 
repeated  at  intervals  of  forty  seconds,  with  the  same 
result,  until  two  dozen  were  received;  when  the  same 
proposal  of  abatement  of  the  remainder  was  niade  with 
the  same  eUbct.  The  Ikigellation  went  on;  and  when 
completed,  the  poor  man's  back  was  literally  beat  into 
a  jelly.  He  was  loosened  and  Ijt  down  a  v/ild  maniac, 
and  the  fir^t  movement  was  a  rush  at  the  wretch  who 
was  the  cause  of  suei.  inhuman  severity;  but,  unfor- 
tunately, he  was  "brought  up"  by  some  of  the  guards 
standing  by.  The  common  puni^■hment  for  petty  of- 
fences, is  confinement,  on  bread  and  water,  in  a  soli- 


4    t 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


2U 


prit  an 
.1  lium- 
ho  was 
G  upon 

■J,  and 
;t  havo 
a  con- 
is  con- 
to  lay 
s  carc- 
; to  giv« 
10  whip 
d,  gave  J 
counted 
10  poor 
places; 
s  about, 
irill  ran 
!  breath, 
vs  wero 
10  same 
10  same 
ide  with 
id  when 
eat  into 
naniac, 
ch  who 
,  unfor- 
guardrf 
etty  of- 
a  soli- 


tary  * 'black  hole,"  where  the  person  never  sees  the 
light  within  his  durance,  which  sometimes  extends  to 
seven,  and  even  ten  days. 

Trafficing  is  strictly  forbidden,  yet  often  winked  at; 
as,  for  instance,  a  blind  man  was  allowed  four  gallons 
per  day  of  the  oatmeal,  which  he  exchj\nged  for  the 
white  bread  of  the  poor,  half  starved  laborers.  He 
also  collected  all  the  bones  of  the  messes,  pounded 
them  fine,  and  boiled  them — in  that  manner  extracting 
considerable  fat,  which  he  sold  for  butter — known  as 
the  "blind  Jimmy's  Cutter.^'  Either,  if  repurtedj 
would  have  gained  him  a  fcw^ays  solitary;  yet  the 
"rikilly''  was  allowed  him,  and  it  was  well  known  he 
could  not  consume  it  himself. 

It  was  a  standing  rule  to  muster  the  men  each  Sab- 
bath, with  one  bare  leg,  to  observe  their  cleanliness, 
when  their  shoes  must  be  greased,  or  solitary  was  the 
consequence.     Now,  strange  to  say,  no  provision  was 
made  for  oil,  and  there  were  no  possible  means  of  ob- 
taining but  by  stealing  it  from  the  lamps,  two  of  which 
remained  in  each  ward;  further,  should  a  man  be  de- 
tected in  such  theft,  he  would  be  subjected  to  two  do- 
zen stripes  on  the  bare  back;  and  to  exhibit  the  fallacy 
of  such  rules,  a  man  is  liable  to  a  charge  for  insolence. 
Thus,  then,  he  is  placed  between  the  horns  of  a  di- 
lemma, one  of  which  seldom  fails  goring  him;  and  ho 
generally  prefers  the  risk  of  the  theft,  in  which  he  is 
the    least  liable  to  be  detected.     In  our  cases,  these 
rides  were    not  enforced,   "ibr,"  as  observed  by  the 
commandant,  "the  Americans  are  men  of  unimpeach- 
able moral  characters — perfectly  quiet  and  orderly — 
16 


"I 


^■.!  I- 


'  ■.  .'  t 


".  i  )' 


ikI 


'M 


m 


'< 


l-ii 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   1).   L. 


I  '      f . ;vi   • *• 


fes    * 


iK ';• 


i.r  • 


-if' 
■■  ■-'■* ; 


.-i^ 


III'... 

■;  ■hi,',-  ; 


•^r"'"' 


:(      ■' 


but  they  ivill  not  he  coerced  into  compliance  with  any 
rules  they  consider  unreasonable.  They  never  pre- 
sume upon  any  privileges,  but  when  they  want  such, 
they  send  Wait  to  ask.  They  have  thus  obtained  va- 
rious favors  that  I  could  not  have  granted  to  other 
men;  for  instance,  the  use  of  the  carpenter's  shop, 
where  it  is  a  pleasure  to  observe  to  what  extent  their 
ingenuity  and  industry  continue,  in  the  manufacture  of 
such  trifles  as  are  in  their  power.  And  at  night,  be- 
fore they  retire  to  their  beds,  I  have  frequently  been 
delighted  in  listening  to  their  devotions;  yet  they  will 
not  use  our  church  ser*ce,  and  it  would  be  ungener- 
ous to  require  it;  for  I  think  them  devout  and  pious, 
and  know  them  praying  men." 

These  remarks  in  favor  of  our  character,  were  not 
die  only  temporal  advantages  received  from  our  dcvo- 
:ional  exercises,  for  they,  in  a  manner,  operated  also, 
as  a  beneficial  check  upon  the  conduct  of  some  two  or 
three  of  our  number,  wbo  were  rather  vulgarly  incli- 
ned. And  in  a  spiritual  senrjc,  the  good  results  were 
mcalculablo  upon  our  minds,  our  hearts,  and  our  feel- 
ings. Reading  and  prayer,  enabled  us  to  look  above 
for  consolation,  in  the  hour  of  suffering  and  sorrow; 
and  to  give  })lace  to  that  ho})e  which  would  not  only 
keep  us  from  despondency,  but  lead  us  to  feel  that 
-'all  things  would  work  together  for  good'' — that 
God.  'n  his  all  wise  providence,  would  give  us  strength 
accoruing  to  our  need,  and  ultimate]}'  return  us  to  our 
I'.omes  and  to  our  families. 

I  can  assure  you  that  we  have  been  enabled  to  en- 
dure every  calamity  and  evil  that  ha^  since  befallen  us. 


.4.  .i:-): 


Ill  any 
r  pre- 
t  such, 
led  va- 
)  other 
shop, 
it  their 
Jture  of 
^ht,  be- 
y  been 
ley  will 
ngener- 
pious, 

ere  not 
r  devo- 
id also, 
!  two  or 
y  incli- 
Its  were 
lur  Icel- 
k  above 
sorrow; 
ot  only 
eel  that 
•'—that 
strength 
s  to  our 

\  to  en- 
tile n  us. 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


243 


without  much  murmur  or  complaint,  while  my  hope  in 
a  return  to  home  and  to  freedom,  is  now  more  brilliant 
than  ever — rendered  so  by  a  letter  1  have  quite  re- 
cently received  from  the  still  active  participator  in  my 
afflictions.  She  has  returned  to  Canada,  and  already 
had  an  interview  with  the  Governor  General,  who 
seems  favorably  inclined.  But  more  of  these  things 
anon,  and  I  here  cIofjg  for  the  present. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  &c.  &c. 


LETTER  XY. 

AsHGROVE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  D.  L. 

July,  1841. 


To -, 

Iviv  Dear  Sir:  About  the  10th  March,  a  ship,  osten- 
hlb\y  known  as  the  *'Bay  Ship,''  cast  anchor  at  Spit- 
head;  and  orders  came  off  for  140  men  to  be  selected 
from  the  residents  of  the  two  hulks,  (Leviathan  and 
Vork,)  at  Portsmouth^  to  make  up  the  cargo  for  Van 
Dienum's  land,  already  consisting  of  100  men  from 
the  prison  ships  at  Woolwich.  The  list  for  the  York 
was  some  two  days  completing;  during  which  time 
not  a  whisper  was  heard  designating  those  who  were 
to  go;  not  a  name  was  divulged.  I  felt  a  slight  pre- 
sentiment tliat  our  names  might  be  added,  and  conse- 
quently wrote  my  opinions  to  our  friends  in  London, 
desiring  them  to  make  preparations  for  the  event,  if 
they  proved  prophetic.    Meeting  Mr.  Nicholson  on  the 


i»' 


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244 


i  •■ 


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1  !:■  -.  .il  Ui^*^ 
1    \^<r-^'ib'i:f' 


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^  I:; 


1  IM^'H;/; '- ^   •  ■'■■■  ■ 


I 


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'•Jf.  ■;  .. 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


deck,  I  enquired  if  it  was  the  intention  of  the  govern- 
ment to  send  the  American  prisoners  by  that  ship;  but 
he  replied  that  he  was  not  at  liberty  to  give  satisfaction 
on  that  point;  yet  he  had  no  doubt  but  wc  would  have 
timely  notice  of  any  intended  removal.  Thus,  then, 
my  suspicions  on  that  head,  were  allayed,  and  we  con- 
tinued our  writing  preparatory  to  tho  expected  investi- 
gation. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th  March,  before  we  were 
dressed,  several  officers  wore  engaged  in  tho  selection 
and  separation  of  those  to  go,  from  those  to  remain; 
and  as  they  came  out  of  the  ward  adjoining  ours,  were 
asked  if  they  had  any  orders  for  us;  the  reply  was 
*'7io."  This  monosyllable  created  a  laugh  among  us, 
for  one  of  our  number,  (Mr.  Waggoner,)  had  said,  as 
soon  as  he  awaked,  that  *'wc  should  be  sent  on  board 
the  bay  ship  to-day,  and  no  mistake;"  yet  he  still 
persisted,  and  would  stake  his  life  upon  tho  correct- 
ness of  his  impressions.  About  eight  the  turnkey  came 
and  unlocked  the  door,  when  we,  as  usual,  were  pre- 
pared, with  hammock  on  shoulders,  to  sally  forth  and 
deposit  them  on  the  upper  deck.  But  "stop,"  says  tho 
guard,  "I  want  to  muster  your  hammocks  and  bed- 
ding." This  was  the  first  move  or  expression  that  was, 
in  the  slightest  degree,  indicative  of  their  intention  to- 
ward us.  As  soon  as  the  muster  was  completed,  he 
said,  "now  my  fine  fellows,  I  have  to  inform  you,  that 
you  have  but  five  minutes  to  join  the  other  prisoners 
in  the  chapel  destined  for  V.  D.  L." 

Those  still  in  the  ward,  were  McLeod,  Wait,  Chan- 
dler, Waggoner,  McNulty,  Vernon,  Mallary,  Cooly, 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


245 


vcrn- 
;  but 

iction 
have 

then, 
con- 

ivcsti- 


and  Van  Camp,  ordered  for  embarkation;  Gcmmel 
had  been  in  the  hospital,  since  arrival;  and  the  night 
previous  to  this,  the  surgeon  had  ordcrd  Beemer  there 
also;  and  tlic  day  wo  took  our  passage,  ho  was  under 
the  operation  of  an  emetic.  We  all  knew  why  his  re- 
tention was  cficctcd,  but  it  eventually,  by  his  own  folly, 
proved  of  no  avail.  Miller,  Grant,  and  Reynolds,  the 
others,  were  in  London;  so  that  our  number  was  dwin- 
dled down  to  nine. 

Although  1  should  have  preferred  transportation,  to 
a  long  continuance  in  that  prison,  yet  the  information 
of  so  sudden  a  removal,  fell  like  an  electric  shock  up- 
on me,  as  it  was  utterly  unexpected,  after  so  many  re- 
peated assurances,  from  various  individuals  in  office 
and  elsewhere.  I  therefore  begged  time  to  write  our 
agent,  but  was  refused.  What  trifles  we  could  hastily 
collect,  of  our  small  stock  in  the  ward,  were  carried 
with  us,  most  particulary  my  portfolio,  containing  all 
our  correspondence  in  England,  and  the  notes  I  had 
made  there.  This  has  since  been  my  inseparable  com- 
panion, and  I  design  conveying  it  to  America,  if  I 
am  ever  so  happy  as  to  return  myself. 

On  arriving  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  we  found 
eighty  or  more,  all  invested  with  douhle  irons*  and  the 
habiliments  of  the  *'Bay  ship,*' the  same  as  the  hulk 
dress,  saving  a  want  of  the  guernsey,  and  the  exchange 
of  the  hat  for  a  striped  woollen  cap.  There  were  pre- 
pared for  our  ablution,  several  tubs  of  water;  and  sev- 


■,i'h'' 


*Two  rings  or  hazzlcs,  for  the  leg,  witli  a  chain  between  them 
about  two  feet  in  length,  and  weighing  about  eight  pounds. 


ir 


246 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


I# 


i  i 


i. 


;■  'i  t.>- 


!»■■-■•; 


ji-v 


■ ,.  k  C  ■    -» 

•    I  J*  it' 


"i'-'4«  '•';'-' 


lit  13^^:'. 


4^a^f  f::,r  rir 


oral  shaving  automatons  were  placed  in  requisition  for 
clearing  both  iicad  and  face. 

These  preparations  were  scarcely  completed  before 
I  was  called  to  the  quarter  deck,  where  I  found  the 
commander  and  his  7n(tfe,  Mitchard,  engaged  in  over- 
hauling our  baggage.  I  was  ordered  to  select  what 
belonged  to  myself,  and  then  directed  to  open  my 
trunk,  from  v/hich  Mitchard  tlirew  out  every  article, 
and  then  said,  I  might  retain  the  trunk,  but  the  other 
things,  (clothes  and  books,)  were  forfeited  to  the  gov- 
ernment. I  begged  the  favor  of  retaining  a  few  tri- 
fling keepsakes,  but  all  I  could  get  was  a  brush,  three 
religious  books,  and  a  wooden  spoon.  All  my  com- 
panions were  treated  in  the  same  manner,  and  filched 
of  every  thing  they  possessed.  I  accused  them  of  rob- 
bery; for  even  by  their  own  mi  material  reasoning,  we 
could  be  regarded  only  as  being  in  transilu,  and  con- 
sequently, had  been  merely  lodged  temporarily  in  their 
custody,  av/aiting  an  opportunity  for  transportation— 
therefore,  whatever  the  transporliiig  authorities  chose 
to  permit  iis  to  carry  from  home,  they  had  no  right  to 
rob  us  of  in  a  foreign  land — no  more  than  the  govern- 
or of  Cape  town,  where  .we  might  run  in  for  refresh- 
ment, would  possess  over  what  we  might  carry  thence 
with  us.  All  the  reply  they  made,  was,  that,  they 
knew  what  they  were  doing,  and  would  hear  nothing 
from  me. 

We  were,  with  the  other  prisoners,  mustered  on 
deck,  with  the  left  \q^  and  foot  bare, (the  right  having 
the  irons  on,)  for  the  purj-  :e  of  inspection,  by  the 
surgeon  connected  with  th-     -ansport  ship.     All  were 


<^i.(: 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


247 


m  for 


I 


pronounced  *'lmle  nnd  fit  for  the  passage,''  until  they 
came  to  me,  when,  iVom  my  dcbiiitutcd  appearance, 
the  surgeons  were  induced  to  question  me  as  to  whether 
I  fult  able  to  undergo  tiic  fatigue  of  so  long  a  voyage, 
or  not?  I  replied  that  I  was  more  fit  to  go  than  remain, 
for  I  felt  it  would  be  with  but  little  regret  that  I  should 
exchange  that  abode  of  vice  for  distant  and  untiied 
scenes. 

After  replacing  oui  .,hoes  and  sto  ".i 'gt.',  we  were 
placed  on  board  a  lighter,  where  were  some  sixty  men 
from  the  Leviathan;  and  we  were  soon  along  side,  the 
•'Marquis  of  Hastings''  lying  anch6red  at  Spithcad, 
and  already  containing  one  hundred  men,  whom  she 
had  brought  from  Woolwich. 

The  muster  roll  was  read  as  we  passed  over  the 
ship's  sides;  and  on  going  down  to  the  lower  deck,  a 
bundle  of  bedding  was  handed  to  each,  containing  a 
v/ool  mattress,  two  blankets,  and  a  thin  rug;  -all  mark- 
ed with  the  number,  the  individual  held  on  ti.e  books. 
Berths  were  assigned  to  us,  calculated  to  contain  four 
men,  into  which  we  got,  waiting  further  orders.  Af- 
ter looking  about  the  hold,  the  first  questions  I  heard 
asked  by  those  who  came  on  board  with  me,  were, 
^'what  do  you  get  to  eat?"  and  "what  is  the  quality?'' 
exhibiting  the  all-engrossing  ideas  of  every  one's  mind. 
The  answer  so  shocked  me,  that  I  was  deterred  from 
making  any  inquiry  myself,  determined  to  await  pa- 
tiently, the  development  of  each  new  scene,  without 
anticipating  any.  It  would  be  nearly  useless  to  enter 
minutely  into  occurrences  of  that  voyage;  in  fact,  it 
would  be  too  voluminous,  and  I  must  be  brief 


218 


LETTERS    FROiM    V.   D.   L. 


'    *!   "'  '  «  :   1' 

II'       .     f :-„    •!    1  "■■! 
|i.;i,!iSi!' '.'!•'.  '■•"■   ■ 


i:.f>'iii^;'' 


( 


■•'-■■         ■r:|i( 


f .  •;  * 


■•'■^■1^:;'  1.,- 


. <  '•If  ■      '  -J  ^ 


^Vhcn  the  provision  did  arrive,  (wliich  was  not  un- 
til the  next  day,)  we  found  that  thu  hrcakfast  consisted 
of  nothing  but  the  usual  "skilly;"  the  dinner,  alter- 
nately, of  four  ounces  of  very  salt  beef,  and  two  oun- 
ces of  plain  pudding;  or  of  three  nun,-cs  of  pork  and 
a  pint  of  pea  soup;  and  supper  of  one  pint  of  sweeten- 
ed tea  or  cocoa — one  sea  buiscuit  having  been  issued 
in  the  morning  to  serve  for  the  day's  bread.  The 
messes  were  of  six  men  each,  with  only  a  "kid''  to 
bring  the  food  down  in,  one  tin  cup,  one  wooden  spoon, 
and  one  knife  and  fork,  as  tabic  furniture  and  eating 
apparatus  for  the  six. 

The  ship  was  a  large  one,  perhaps  of  600  tuns  bur- 
then, and  the  middle  deck  was  fitted  up  with  two  ticrr. 
of  berths  on  each  side,  from  ahafl  the  :  ^''^Iships  to  the 
extreme  bow,  with  at  least  twenty  hamuiocks  swung 
in  the  intermediate  space.  The  number  of  prisoners 
thus  congregated  in  one  mass,  were  two  hundred  and 
forty,  and  the  utmost  confusion  and  tumult  continually 
prevailed  among  them,  at  all  times,  except  during  the 
silent  watches  of  the  night.  They  were  separated  into 
three  distinct  grand  divisions,  controlled  by  as  many 
captains,  assisted  by  a  dozen  constables,  all  subject  to 
the  surgeon  supcrintendant.  These  qlficers  were  all 
selected  from  the  worst  characters  the  black  book  con- 
tained, all  particularly  marked  by  the  qualifications  so 
requisite  in  the  government  of  such  institutions,  viz: 
an  inordinate  desire  to  obtain  a  superior's  smile — con- 
summate artfulness,  with  a  designing,  deceitful,  and 
treacherous  heart — a  love  of  human  misery,  and  a  dis- 
position to  glory  in  the  pain  of  others.     Indeed,  it  is 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


219 


not  un- 

nsislcd 

,  altor- 

vo  oun- 

)rk  and 

Yoctcn- 

issued 

The 

iid"  to 

spoon, 

eating 

ns  bur- 
vo  tiers 
to  the 
swung 
•isoncrs 
red  and 
tinually 
'ing  the 
ted  inte 
3  many 
bject  to 
zero  all 
ok  con- 
tions  so 
IS,  viz: 
3 — con- 
ul,  and 
d  a  dis- 
3d,  it  is 


i 

i 


i 


astonishing  how  familiarity  hardens  the  heart  of  man 
to  Iiuman  sufloring,  and  steels  it  against  all  the  strange 
and  ghastly  things  ol  terrestrial  existence;  but  ten 
times  more  astonishing  is  it,  to  find  men  who  appear, 
without  such  terrible  training,  to  feel  a  pleasure  in  the 
sight  of  sorrow,  and  derive  a  sort  of  agreeable  excite- 
ment from  witnessing  the  pangs  and  miseries  of  oth- 
ers. Such  beings  we  must  ever  hate,  and  involunta- 
rily shrink  from  their  contact,  with  as  much  appre- 
liensiDn  as  from  the  sting  of  a  scorpion.  The  conse- 
quence of  being  under  the  survcilanco  of  such  beings, 
were  the  horrid  castigations  with  the  inhuman  cat,  of 
some  thirty  or  :  lore  during  the  voyage,  in  the  manner, 
and  with  nearly  the  same  ellect,  as  that  of  poor  Cava- 
nauglrs,  on  board  the  hulk,  and  various  other  minor 
punishments,  as  solitary,  double  irons,  deprivation  of 
food,  &c.  &c. 

On  arriving  on  board  the  transport  ship,  r2th  March, 
I  lost  no  time  in  writing  to  London,  requesting  the  at- 
tendance of  Mr.  Waller,  who  arrived  on  Friday,  the 
15th,  seemingly  under  great  excitement  of  feeling; 
yet,  to  calm  our  minds  relative  to  this  sudden  trans- 
portation, he  said  he  "expected  it  vv^ould  be  so,  to  en- 
sure the  safety  of  those  whose  cases  w»re  undergoing 
investigation."  I  had  long  imagined  such  was  the 
feeling,  and  therefore  made  but  little  complaint  my- 
self, only  anxious  that  some  of  our  letters  for  America, 
still  in  their  hands,  might  convey  the  intelligence  to  our 
friends;  and  that  he  would  exert  himself  to  restore  our 
clothing.  He  left,  promising  to  attend  to  our  requests, 
and   return   on   the  Monday  followi 


!  1 


'S' 


ship, 


^    'W 


I  i 


4.Q 


.1  ■■  . , 


■f 


■A  y 


'^^i 


i 


»*i  '    (  ... 


:4 


pi/:  |i«,  i'^fel 


250 


LETTERS    FROM    V.    D.    L. 


ho  was  informed  by  tlio  siipcrintondcnt,  would  not  sail 
until  Til  \s(lay.  01*  his  promis'xl  aid,  and  tho  r(3stora- 
tion  of  ouv  cloliiing,  books,  &c.  wo  were  deprived,  by 
the  ship  sailing  on  Sunday,  tho  17th  March. 

You,  my  dear  sir,  arc,  doubtless,  as  much  surprised 
as  wo  were,  at  so  sudden  a  dcpartuu,  for  so  distant  a 
land,  contrary  to  many  assurances,  made,  no  doubt,  in 
deceit,  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  cajole  unfortunate 
beings  into  hopes,  a  depression  of  which  must  aggra- 
vate their  misery  an  hundred  fold.  Thus  ended  all 
our  trust  in  British  clemency;  and  thus,  in  eager, 
anxious  destitution,  we  commenced  a  voyage  of  10,000 
miles,  to  the  Antipodes  of  our  homes,  in  connexion 
with  a  mass  of  corruption  and  crime  to  which  tho 
world  could  scarce  fuid  a  parallel. 

Mere  v/erc  beings  from  almost  every  class  in  Eng- 
land— tliorjo  born  to  wealth  and  honor,  and  those  pos- 
sessing tho  (Queen's  commissions  not  excepted.  To 
tho  eye  of  the  man  of  perception,  it  would  have  been 
curious  and  interesting  to  trace  the  aspect  of  those 
wretched  men,  the  efiects  of  their  imprisonment  and 
transportation,  under  tho  various  circumstances,  upon 
each  character.  And  although  every  man  plead  *'not 
guilty,"  to  any  charge  of  crime,  yet  it  was  easy  to  dis- 
cover what  had  been  the  misdemeanor  of  cither,  by 
their  manner,  and  by  their  private  stories  for  enter- 
tainment, during  tho  foro  part  of  the  night.  There 
you  could  hear  the  talc  of  the  light  debauchee,  who 
had  received  his  doom  for  some  criminal  intrigue — of 
tho  highway  robber's  hair-breadth  escapes — the  burg- 
l-o.r^s  artful  triumphs  over  stono  walls  and  iron  bound 


LKTTEHS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


251 


not  sail 

rofitora- 

■ivcd,  by 

jui'prisod 
distant  a 
donht,  in 
br  tun  ate 
st  aggra- 
aidcd  all 
in  engor, 
)i'  10,000 
onncxion 
hicli    the 

s  in  Eng- 
hosc  pos- 
)tcd.  To 
lave  been 
of  those 
mcnt  and 
CCS,  upon 
lead  *'not 
isy  to  dis- 
dllicr,  by 
hi'  enter- 
.  There 
dice,  who 
riguc — of 
the  burg- 
'on  bound 


chests — the  cunningly  devised,  and  pldlftdly  executed 
j)lot.s  of  the  sly  pickpocket — the  wily  gume:.ter,  sans 
principle,  sans  feeling,  sans  every  thing  but  a  love  for 
crime  and  iniquity — tlic  bold,  daring,  brutal  criminal, 
hardened  in  oIFences,  and  impudent  in  crime — the  man 
of  deep  feeling,  bowed  down  by  a  senr-c  of  evil  and 
shame — the  dull,  heavy  man  of  guilt  and  despair, 
who  could  toll  of  many  years  im[)risonment  and  ex- 
clusion from  social  intercourse;  with  the  "light  of  hopo 
gone  out  in  his  oye,'^  and  nothing  left  but  tenacity  of 
life  and  capability  of  endurance — and  of  the  youth, 
who,  in  a  passionate  excitement,  had  sought  to  poison 
himself  and  betrothed,  fatal  with  the  latter,  because 
parental  authority  interposed  obstacles  to  the  ill  assor- 
ted union.  Thousands  are  the  anecdotes  tiiat  I  could 
relate  concerning  that  ship'f^'  cargo.  I  will  not,  howe- 
ver, detain  you  with  them;  but  proceed  with  relations 
of  more  of  the  horrors  of  the  passage.  On  the  em- 
barkation the  weather  was  cold,  but  as  we  approached 
the  equator,  it  gradually  became  more  and  more  warm, 
until  intense  heat  rendered  our  situation  not  only  in- 
convenient, but  shockingly  uncomfortable.  The  hos- 
pital incumbents  were  daily  increasing,  until  the  salt 
waves  closed  over  thirty  unhappy  victims  of  cruelty 
and  starvation.  Vermin,  the  most  loathed  of  all  ob- 
jects to  an  American,  generated  too,  in  such  abun- 
dance, that  our  beds  and  cloth'ng  became  literally 
alive  with  them.  ]\Iy  dreams  w"ere  always  about  them, 
and  I  would  often  awake  in  the  act  of  killing  them. 
They  remained  with  us  during  the  voyage — they  landed 
with,  and  still  separated  not  from  us,  until  we  were  as- 


m 

ft' 

i 


■I  1 


. 


M, 


!*l 


'k: 


I 


:^ 


252 


LETTEIIH    PROM    V.   I).    L. 


'i 


••    V,, 


■  1 


♦  ;:  »  ^jil 


'  i 


lt|;-i;;  '-^t. 


'  ^  i 


.y:'  /■_:      h 


M'^''^i\f;:!:/^- 


!;<•*■  V 


? :  vt 


^l     "■■ 


signed  in  iho  country,  vvhcvo  it  was  extremely  dinioult 
to  get  rid  of  tlicm.  Oli,  my  dear  sir,  you  cannot  con- 
ceive the  slightest  approach  to  tlu^  torment  wc  endured 
while  subject  to  these  ruthless  invaders  of  human  com- 
fort— those  implrnimts  of  exclusively  British  torture. 

You  will  say  this  picture  is  disgusting;  but  if  tlic  rela- 
tion is  revolting  to  the  mind,  what  sensations  must  have 
been  engendered  by  a  participation  in  the  reality?  Ah, 
many  nights  did  I  spend,  witliout  sleep  or  rest,  while 
my  ever  busy  mind  would  roam  over  the  wide  world 
without  motive,  and  assume  a  tone  but  little  short  of 
distraction — when  every  noise  was  hushed  save  the 
lashing  of  the  waves  against  the  ship's  sides,  the  creak- 
ing of  the  helm,  the  occasional  tread  of  the  crew  on 
deck,  or  the  heavy  bre.'ithings  of  the  human  beings 
about  me,  has  my  heart  experienced  every  vicissitude 
of  human  misery  and  passion — sorrow  and  grief, 
gloom  and  despondency,  anger  and  the  extreme  of 
despair  endured  to  an  extent  .seldom  felt  by  man. 

The  crysijielas  or  scurvy  broke  out  among  us,  and 
continued  to  carry  off  the  poor  fellows,  long  after  wc 
had  landed;  so  that  one  year  from  the  date  of  our  ar- 
rival, out  of  the  two  hundred  and  forty  persons,  the 
Marquis  of  Hastings  was  frieghted  with,  only  one 
hundred  and  three  were  alive;  owing,  as  declared  by 
the  skilful  surgeon  of  the  Colonial  hospital  at  Ho- 
barttown,  to  nothing  but  ill  treatment — short  and  bad 
rations. 

From  Spithead  we  had  a  very  fair  wind,  until  wo 
entered  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  when  we  were  driven  back 
to  the  coast  of  Ireland;  yet  we  soon  regained  our  course, 


%^ 


;^v  't^ 


;  (lifTioult 
\iK)t  con- 
) endured 
nan  com- 
orturc. 
.'the  rcda- 
nust  have 
lily?  Ah, 
st,  whilo 
Je  world 
short  of 
save   iho 
:hc  creak- 
crow  on 
in  beings 
/icissitudo 
nd    grief, 
xtrcmc  of 
nan. 

g  us,  and 
after  wo 
>f  our  ar- 
i'sons,  the 
only  ono. 
iclared  by 
al  at  Ho- 
rt  and  bad 

,  until  we 
L'iven  back 
lur  course, 


LETTKllH    rnOM   \.   1).    L. 


'253 


and  sailed  gently  on  in  sight  of  the  Azores,  tho  Do 
Verds  and  the  majestic  Tenoriilu.  Agaiii  high  winds 
drove  us  out  of  the  general  track  to  the  American 
coast,  when,  after  two  or  thrco  days  spent  in  fruitless 
attempts  to  continue  around  Cape  Horn,  the  course 
was  changed,  and  wo  bore  away  for  tlic  capo  of  Good 
Hope,  od*  which  we  found  high  winds,  rough  seas,  and 
foggy  weather;  where,  in  a  night  squall,  wo  lost  our 
jib-booms,  and  dropped  the  foreyard,  both  of  which  were 
soon  replaced,  and  we  passed  on  safely,  'ilthnugh  many 
fears  were  entertained  for  the  oldriekety  craft.  Not- 
vvilhstandi ng  many  high  gales,  she  proved  a  saf(  con- 
veyance to  us;  yet  her  passage  homewaid  was  ijot  so 
fortunate,  for  she  was  lost  oil*  ihe  coast  of  China.  Wf. 
passed  very  near  St.  Paul's  island,  a  small,  barr'n  rock, 
standing  one  hundred  icet  or  more  out  of  the  ^ea..  with 
no  anchorage  about  it.  In  certain  seasons,  a  kind  of 
fish  is  caught  in  abundance  there,  very  little  inferior 
to  our  northern  salmon.  It  lies  about  fifteen  hundred 
miles  from  Ilobarttown,  a  distance  we  run  iii  fifteen 
days. 

Embarked  on  the  wide  ocean  for  a  long  and  tedious 
voyage,  I  had  full  leisure  for  thought;  and  though  amid 
tlie  tumult  of  hundreds  of  beings,  f  carcc  human,  I 
.suffered  it  not  to  disturb  me.  I  felt  not  of  their  species, 
and  gave  no  ear  to  their  confusion.  I  stood  in  the 
midst  of  a  sink  of  iniquity,  and  every  shade  of  crime, 
from  the  deepest  to  the  lightest  die.  Surely  if  there 
are  places  in  human  ;. bodes  deserving  the  title  of  Hell, 
one  is  a  transport  ship,  crowded  with  felons,  culled 
from  England's  most  abandoned  criminals.     Statistics 


\ 


Hi 


ra^r 


I 


% 


M 


'  1  i 


iii^'i 


;li^f;-:^ 


i--m\ 


MV 


•  sV' 


.;i!!  ;!P 


f  •1.  ■.;.?*J 


-  ;  1  I     ■ 


I  -  ■'"■'*■  I  tl  ■  ■  ■'  ■''':>-  ■•■  •'■" 


'251 


LETTKIUS    FROM    V.   D.    1.. 


iihow  that  tho  number  of  committals  in  one  year,  was 
eighteen  thousand  and  eighty-three — one  thousand  three 
liundrcd  and  ninety-seven  of  whom  received  the  scn- 
icnco  of  death.  From  this  eighteen  thousand,  select  a 
lew  hundred  of  the  worst,  cast  them  together  without 
moral  restriction,  and  you  have  a  school  of  vice  that 
cannot  ftiil  to  instruct  tho  novice  in  a  more  elevated 
course  o'l  artful  crime.  Pickpockets  formed  no  small 
share  of  the  cargo,  and  they  are  truly  the  most  expert 
and  deceptive  beings  I  ever  met;  they  v/ould  take  from 
under  my  very  eye,  the  food  1  was  eating,  without  my 
discovering  the  thief. 

I  steeled  my  heart  against  the  contaminating  influ- 
ence of  all  these  vices,  by  pondering,  with  intensity, 
upon  the  past  and  the  future.  I  chose  that  course,  al- 
though it  rendered  the  mind  dark  and  moody,  and  in 
unison  with  the  sad  obj(3cts  presented  to  it,  because  it 
shut  out  tho  evil  associations  of  the  present;  though  it 
produced  tho  bitterest  blight  in  nature,  a  despondency 
that  became  awfullv  convincin"^  of  the  instability  of  hu- 
manenj03'ments,  tho  vanity  of  human  pursuits,  and  the 
mutability  ofearthly  hopes.  The  future  exhibited  a  path 
of  sorrov/,  suifering  and  dang(!r;  a  life  of  toil  and  ski* 
very,  and  a  bed  of  thorns;  while  a  review  of  the  past 
pierced  my  soul  v/ith  a  thousand  agonies.  My  early 
ho[)es;  the  gay  droanu  of  youth,  and  the  associations 
of  ripor  years,  were  blasted — gone — circumstances 
loudly  exclaiined,  forever!!  I  saw  my  poor  family, 
feeble,  and  destitute,  and  lonely,  and  in  grief.  1  raised 
in  my  heart  a  j)icture  that,  though  creating  anguish,  I 
hugged  to  my  soul,  and  would  not  have  parted  witli 


L FITTERS    FROi\I    V.   D.   L. 


ear,  was 
ind  three 
the  scn- 
,  select  a 
without 
vice  that 
elevated 
no  small 
st  expert 
ake  from 
thout  my 

ng  indu- 
intensity, 
oLirse,  al- 
y,  and  in 
)ocause  it 
though  it 
ipondency 
litv  of  hu~ 
ts,  and  the 
itcda  path 
1  and  ski* 
f  the  pa, tit 
My  early 
Bsociations 
unistances 
)r   family, 
f.  1  raised 
anguish,  I 
)avted  with. 


for  all  the  honors  and  fortunes  of  the  world.  I  sought 
for  no  oblivious  antidote,  but  closely  embraced  the 
malady  that  produce^  abstraction,  rather  than  partake 
of  the  scenes  acting  around  me.  But  obloquy,  severity, 
and  indignity,  religion  alone  gave  me  ."trength  to  en- 
dure with  proper  equanimity,  and  blunted  many  a  pang, 
dark,  deep,  and  bitter. 

About  four  weeks  previous  to  arrival,  poor  J.  J. 
McNulty  became  very  lov/,  by  the  decline  commenced 
on  the  passage  from  Quebec,  and  greatly  augmented 
by  the  harsh  treatment,  bad  diet,  and  lilthiness  sub- 
jected to  since.  He  lingered  on  until  v/e  cast  anchor, 
when  he  was  sent  immediately  to  the  Colonial  hospital, 
where  he  died  four  hours  after  arrival,  exhibiting  a 
powerful  faith  and  a  perfect  assurance  of  eternal  hap- 
piness. I  also  showed  symptoms  of  the  erysipelas,  a 
disease  prevalent  on  board,  every  case  of  which  had, 
as  yet,  terminated  fatally.  Tiie  sv/elling  of  my  head, 
fuce,  and  limbs  was  discovered  by  the  surgeon,  who 
ordered  me  to  tlie  ship  hospital,  when,  by  my  request, 
lie  took  a  largo  quantity  of  blood,  and  I  returned  to 
iny  berth;  the  same  night  I  bled  also  very  freely  at 
the  nose.  The  bleeding  was  eilective  in  reducing  the 
malady,  bat  an  inflammation  commenced  in  my  arm 
lliat  soon  spread  itself  over  my  right  side.  By  inquiry, 
it  was  discovered  that'the  lancet,  with  which  the  incis- 
ion had  been  made,  was  the  same  urvcd,  a  few  hours 
before,  in  opening  a  putrid  swelling  on  the  knee  of  a 
poor  fcllovt',  wlio  died  in  a  few  minutes  afterward. 
The  fault  was  not  the  surgeon's,  but  the  attendant's, 
who  was  culpable  for  not  ck^aning  the  instrument.     It 


,'■ '' 


«i 


•15 


Kl 


■ '  ''i 


'I  I  'I 


';i  I}- 1 


>■  "in 


>*«i'*.!«a,iifti«K«l.n«-««..  .t^ 


;ii 


k    4  ■v.jl','.*''j:  ' 


25G 


LKTTEiia    FP.O.M   V.   D.   L. 


.      IP 


■1  'r 


I    !.'    -  -  .,|:U.|':>. 


IJri,  ;■'■••-.•''  ■ 


.  .    f 


W'Wl'-^ 


fll-l? 


#'■1. 


*  J  '  i     '(  i  !  . 


was  attributed  to  carelessness,  but  I  imagined  it  was 
wilfulness,  as  he  had  openly  professed  an  extreme  un- 
kindness  to  all  my  countrymen.  He  soon  fell  a  victim 
to  the  same  desease  that  his  heedless  conduct  had  in- 
fused into  my  veins.  The  flesh  of  my  right  side  as- 
sumed a  livid  hue,  and  gradually  grew  darker.  The  pain 
was  excruciating,  and  appeared  to  proceed  from  the 
distention  of  the  veins,  which  seemed  to  be  filled  with 
balls,  continually  rolling  toward  my  extremities.  The 
surgeon  was  hopeless,  and  spoke  of  amputation;  but, 
providentialy,  we  arrived  at  that  critical  moment,  and 
I  was  sent  on  shore  to  a  hospital,  whore  1  remained 
eight  weeks  under  the  hands  of  a  skilful  and  kind  sur- 
geon, who  happily  reestablished  my  health.  The  day 
before  we  entered  the  harbor,  Alexander  McLeod 
showed  violent  evidences  of  a  quick  consumption,  and 
was  also  carried  to  the  hospital.  He  enjoyed  a  lucid 
interval  of  only  five  minutes,  and  died  in  forty-eight 
hours  after  landing.  When  lucid  he  recognised  me, 
and  spoke  of  his  friends,  to  whom  he  wished  to  be 
remembered.  As  his  pain  returned  he  called  on  **Ma- 
ry,"  and,  with  a  violent  struggle,  his  spirit  burst 
from  its  clay  tenement,  to  try  the  realities  of  another 
world. 

Many  others  from  the  ship  were  sent  immediately  on 
shore,  anr^  some  twelve,  or  more*dicd  in  the  first  week. 
The  anxiety  to  hasten  the  landing,  will  be  explained 
by  the  fact,  that  the  surgeon  superintendent  got  iivo 
guineas  for  each  prisoner  he  discharged  alive,  al- 
though they  might  die  the  moment  after;  and  for  all 
who  expired  on  ship  board,  he  received  nothing  at  all; 


%-,  •„  '.j. 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


2f)7 


1  it  was 
cmc  un- 
a  victim 
had  in- 
side as- 
rhc  pain 
i'om  the 
led  with 
es.    The 
;ion;  but, 
lont,  and 
'cmained 
kind  sur- 
The  day 
McLeod 
tion,  and 
11  a  lucid 
H'ty-cight 
lised  me, 
led  to  be 
on  **Ma- 
rit    burst 
f  another 

iliately  on 
irst  week, 
explained 
t  got  liv(; 
alive,  al- 
id  for  all 
UQ  at  all; 


consequently  those  consigned  to  the  sea  were  a  ^*dead 
loss''  to  him. 

I  was,  as  I  hii^  ■:  before  said,  in  the  same  ward  wljoro 
poor  McLeod  died;  and  though  scarce  able  to  move,  I 
saw  every  scone  that  followed,  which  I  would  fain  pasf^ 
over  unrelated,  for  fear  of  wounding  the  feelings  of 
his  dear  relatives;  but  satisiicd  that  they  arc  reasona- 
ble and  re/lcctive  beings,  and  would  regard  outrngo 
upon  a  dead  body,  as  in  no  wise  affecting  the  peace  of 
the  soul,  yet  as  the  strongest  indications  of  an  enor- 
mously harden:  d  depravity,  and  a  total  want  of  sensi- 
bility in  the  p    •  -Orators.    He  was  taken,  as  he  expi- 
red, stripped  'vii.ed,  put  in  the  "man  box,"  and  car- 
ried to  the  (leiul  iriiise,  and  there  stretched  upoH  a  table. 
Five  days  afterward  a  body  of  prisoners,  who  had  come 
in  the  Marquis  of  Eiastings,  were  sent  to  the  hospital 
to  carry  away  and  bury  the  dead.     They  arrived  and 
found  the  bodv  on  a  table  in  the  ward  cut  in  many 
pieces,  with  its  entrails  lying  beside  it.     They  gath- 
erd  the  pieces  together  ond  put  them  in  a  coffin  of 
rough  boards,  and  behold  it  was  poor  McLeod,  whom 
they  all  knew,  and  respected.     The  scene  was  revolt- 
ing, but  there  was  no  alternative;  they  carried  him 
away,  and  laid  him  in  a  "strangers  grave,"  without 
ceremony,  or  one  mark  to  distinguish  the  spot  from 
the  thousands  of  "r  Ion  mounds"  around  him.     Alas, 
poor  man!  he  thu;-^  went  early  to  his  "narrow  bed," 
without  one  frioLjIly  hand  to  smooth  the  thorny  pillow 
of  death,  or  wipe  the  cold  dampness  from  his  pallid 
brow.     Without  a  kind  sympathising  eye  to  watch  his 
movements   and  anticipate  his  wants.     No  cheering 
17 


Hr. 

7 

t 

V    1 

[ 

4=! 

11 

I.', 
i.i 


,      1'   '  [''■■':.'•    . 


i- 


■  m--:  -i.  ■■■'■■ 

■;s V  *>..,■■■ 
■  "7,riU  ;■>«■ 

fill -;  « ^.^ '•  V 

■■itrl  I;  :-   . 
'm  ;    .>f.-  , 


■';V   ■if  J- 


•4 


•-    !• 


^Jl 


•f  ■ 


■^- 'ii■:;f'V!',lU■■ 


•2^>^ 


LETTERS    FllOiM    V.   I).    L. 


p;  ,i^^|!  .;^r 


voico  to  calm  his  inind,  and  point  him  to  the  cflica- 
cious  blood  of  a  Saviour,  save  him  who  lav  beside  him 
n\  an  agony  of  pain,  on  the  verge  of  the  grave  himself; 
and  whose  mind  was  filled  with  his  own  griefs.  Yet 
i  wept  the  fate  of  the  poor,  noble,  persecuted  fellow, 
whom  I  liad,  since  adversity  had  cast  us  together,  re- 
garded as  a  brother,  and,  when  I  witnessed  the  expir- 
ing struggle  of  his  brave  spirit,  and  saw  its  clay  tene- 
ment deserted,  1  felt  a  burning,  withering,  desolation, 
and  thought  my  spirit  must  accompany  his  from  this 
world  of  care  and  sorrow.  My  uneasiness  and  pain 
gave  so  much  trouble  to  the  wardsman,  (a  convict,) 
that  he  administered  a  quieting  opiate,  which  threw 
me  into  a  profound  sleep,  and  from  which  I  did  not 
awake  until  late  the  next  day,  jiist  as  the  surgeon  was, 
with  his  dozen  attendents,  taking  his  morning  round- 
lie  enquired  for  poor  IMcLcod;  and  on  being  informed 
of  his  removal  to  number  lourteen,  (dead  house,)  ho 
«a,j,  *'I  feared  it!  I  wis^  to  hea-.en  1  could  have  saved 
him;  but  he  came  too  late  for  our  skill.  I  never  saw  as 
perfect  a  model  of  a  man  as  his;  and  1  am  sorry  to 
say  that  I  candidly  believe  him  to  have  fallen  a  victim 
to  the  barbarity  of  the  surgeon  of  tbe  ship,  who  ought 
to  be  placed  in  the  same  situation  that  a  dozen  of  his 
men  are  already  in,  since  landing.  If  they  continue 
to  send  them  here  as  fast  as  they  have  don,e  lately,  all 
local  patients  must  be  excluded."  It  v.as,  indeed,  thus; 
tor  in  one  week  from  our  arrival,  all  the  beds  in  the 
building  were  occupied,  and  many  were  on  the  floor, 
notwithstanding  its  ability  to  contain  some  two  or  three 
hundred  persons.     When  he  approached  my  bed,  he 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


259 


cfiica- 
dc  him 
imself; 
.     Yet 

fellow, 
icr,  rc- 

expir- 
ty  tcnc- 
olation. 
Dm  thia 
id  pain 
3nvict,) 
1  threw 
did  not 
ton  was, 

round- 
hformed 
ISC,)  he 
ve  saved 
:r  saw  as 
sorry  to 
a  victim 
lo  ought 
n  of  his 
continue 
ilely,  all 
cd,  thus; 
!s  in  the 
he  floor, 
)  or  three 
bed,  he 


\ 


said,  "And  arc  you  too  ono  of  the  Marquis  of  Has- 
tings' men?"  I  replied  that  I  was,  and  a  contryman  of 
the  last  dead.  "What,  an  American!  Indeed  1  pity 
you  poor  men,  who  are  sent  here  to  suiTer  the  horrors 
of  transportation,  and  bo  subject  to  the  contaminating 
influence  of  tlio  greatest  depravity  the  world  ever 
knew,  for  what  ought  not  to  bo  considered  a  crime 
against  God.  What  ails  you?'"  I  exhibited  my  arm, 
and  told  the  cause.  "What,  a  foul  lancet?  In  England 
the  fellow  would  be  indicted  for  mal-practicc.  You 
have,  however,  como  in  lime*,  I  can  save  you;  but,  I 
dare  say,  he  would  have  either  amputated  your  arm, 
or  have  cast  you  overboard,  if  the  ship  had  been  out 
tiiree  daj^s  longer.''  He  ended  with  giving  orders  for 
certain  applications,  and  placing  rnc  on  "full  diet," 
with  extra  wine  tea  and  sugar.  So,  while  I  remained 
in  that  place,  I  had  enough  of  the  best  provisions. 

A  few  days  after  the  whole  were  landed,  Mr.  Chan- 
dler was  sent  there  also;  and  in  ten  days,  was  return- 
ed to  the  barracks.  Van  Camp  likewise  came,  hav- 
ing been  sent  out  to  assist  in  drawing  a  cart  load  of 
wood  from  a  hill,  some  two  miles  distant;  in  doing 
which,  he  was  ruptured,  and  otherwise  injured.  He, 
too,  died  in  threo  weeks  after  landing.  Thus,  then, 
tliere  are  but  six  remaining  of  the  nine  Americans, 
and  two  of  whom  were  sometime  in  jeopardy. 

But,then,  I  must  conclude;  and  you  can  not  expect 
more  Iho.n  one  or  two  letters  more  upon  the  subject  of 
our  treatment,  when  1  will  continue  with  a  description 
of  this  country,  which  is  indeed  worthy  a  more  prolific 
pen  and  ability,  and  a  more  fertile  imagination  than  I 


m 


>     I 


M 


^m 


260 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.    L. 


possess;  for  more  magnificent  scenery,  and  grandeur 
of  prospect,  if  mountains  on  mountains,  reared  to  the 
clouds,  v/ith  their  concomitant,  awful  precipices,  ra- 
vines, and  forests  can  be  called  so. 

I  remain,  dear  sir. 

Yours,  &c.  &;c. 


'% 


■  iN-;.; 


W- 


?•  »■ 


K.Jm?    ■' 


1  : 
I 


)         t:- 


.■M't''?  ''■■its    '-.'!l 


■  •m'y<if^^ 


'l;:f'|^ 


LETTER  XVL 

AsHGROvE,  near  Oatlands,  V.  D.  L, 

August  y  1841. 


To , 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  must  now  go  back  to  the  landing, 
which  I  did  not  myself  witness,  but  gathered  all  the 
information  I  could  desire  from  others.  The  harbor 
is  a  very  capacious  one,  and  die  ship  anchored  some 
half  mile  from  the  docks  where  she  was  visited  by  the 
Governor,  the  Secretary,  the  Chief,  and  other  Police 
magistrates — the  principal  Superintendent,  the  District 
Constable,  and  a  whole  posse  of  clerks,  with  huge  fol- 
ios under  their  arms — constables  with  their  rattles  in 
hand,  numbering  at  least  half  as  many  as  were  on 
board.  Before  the  officers  the  prisoners  were  each 
arraigned,  questioned,  and  examined  in  the  manner  I 
have  before  related  as  taking  place  on  the  hulk. 

It  is  strange,  indeed,  when  the  prisoners  knew  every 
mark  they  might  have  on  tlieir  persons  would  tend  di- 
rectly to  identify  them  in  case  of  absconding,  (and 
but  few  ever  periormcd  the  passage  without  having 
formed  some  plan  of  that  kind,)  that  they  would,  while 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


261 


andeur 
to  the 
Ds,  ra- 


I).  L. 
1. 

mding, 
all  the 
harbor 
d  some 
by  the 
•  Polico 
District 
:ige  fol- 
ittles  in 
^ero  on 
e  each 
inner  I 

V  every 
;end  di- 
r,  (and 
having 
[,  whilo 


on  ship  board,  mtiko  it  their  chief  amusement  to  im- 
print, indelibly,  upon  every  part  of  their  bodies,  letters, 
words,  flowers,  and  a  thousand  fanciful  figures,  every 
one  of  whicli  was  carefully  noted  in  the  ''descriptive 
folios."  I  fancy  it  would  be  a  great  treat  to  see  pub- 
lished, leaves  from  this  and  the  ^'character  book."  To 
read  the  whole  of  the  latter,  would  require  more  than 
an  age;  for  the  slightest  as  well  as  the  grossest  char- 
acteristics of  every  male  or  female  prisoner  ever  sent 
here,  are  minutely  recorded. 

The  prisoners  were  all  landed  en  masse,  and  mar- 
ched to  the  ^* Tench,''  (prison  barracks,)  and  there 
ranked  in  the  form  of  a  half  moon;  then  addressed  by 
the  Governor,  Capt.  Sir  John  Franklin,  after  having 
been  formally  delivered  by  G.  Jeffries,  R.  N.,  Surgeon 
of  the  ship,  to  the  Superintendent  of  convicts,  W, 
Gunn,  Esq.  The  address  was  a  "puffing"  one,  and 
very  appropriate.  Sir  J.  told  them  that  he  had  full 
evidences  of  all  their  former  conduct,  and  pointed  out 
the  course  the}/  must  pursue  to  wipe  off  the  stains  and 
disgraces  of  their  characters — that  it  was  their  fault, 
that  thoy  were  reduced  to  the  present  degradation — 
that  they  must  submit  to  the  laws  and  regulations 
adopted  for  their  governance,  on  pain  of  exemplary 
punishment — that  these  had  been  rendered  more  illib- 
eral and  severe  than  formerly,  at  present,  by  the  ex- 
treme depravity  of  their  class — that  they  would  be 
narrowly  watched,  and  the  minutest  misdemeanor 
punished,  otherwise  they  would  still  remain  vicious 
and  corrupt.  He  v/arned  them  of  the  diiferent  de- 
grees of  punishments  adopted  to  curb  and  reclaim  the 


1  *^ 


!     I 


/        'MJil 


**r| 


202 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


i       ■'■■*' 

A 

•1 

f  ' 
1   1      ■ 

i 

, 

'  ^:^ ' 

^h 


!, 


,l|ji''.; 


i.  I'-v 


j>  W- 


•'A 


^ir-''* 


.,.1  «h 
,1.,.  : 
■  '•-  .*'.-■> 

■if 


■"'  "v''.l' 

■;rf' 


1 ,.' 


refractory.  He  descanted  upon  the  benefits  of  *<.i5i- 
eignmcnt,""  witli  '•'■glowing  eloquence ^'^  and  said,  "you 
must  submit  to  tlie  legal  control  of  your  masterii;;  for 
v/licn  put  in  tlioir  custody  wo  bold  tbom  accounta1)le 
for  your  conduct;  and  if  you  pass  witb  good  conduct 
your  probationary  periods,*  you  vrill  be  entitled  to  tbc 
indulgence  of  a  ticlcct  of  leave,  vritb  wbicb  you  may 
choose  your  own  masters  and  employment,  and  re- 
ceive v/agcs;  but  still  subject  to  restrictions  and  piirvoi- 
lance;  and  close  upon  its  liecis  comes  tbc  emancipa- 
tion, witli  its  Idghp'i'tiJcgrs  of  citizensbip,  and,  at  last, 
the  free  imrdon  from  Her  Majest}-,  God  hicss  her. 
These  arc  favors  of  great  import,  and  worth  aiming 
at;  but  they  cannot  bo  obtained  without  good  conduct.'' 
This  speech  was  a  set  one,  and  occupied  some  time, 
being  delivered  with  a  hesitancy  painful  in  the  last  de- 
gree, to  the  listener.  Wb.en  it  was  concluded  the  men 
were  all  dismissed,  but  the  Americans,  who  had  been 
arranged  by  themselves.  To  them  he  then  turned, 
with  high  invectives,  for  "oflences  against  God,  and 
all  the  tics  of  social  government — for  treason,  a  crime 
the  foremost  in  all  the  British  cod"/"     He  con£rratula- 

o 
ted  them  upon  their  escape  from  "retributive  justice,'' 

and  said,  "some  of  ^'ou,  while  in  England,  rendered 
yourselves  quite  notorious,  for  writing  disrespectfully 
of  the  authorities  und-^r  who?o  coi^trol  3-0U  were  pla- 
ced, and  even  of  the  government.  I  will  have  you 
understand  that  you  are  in  a  ■penal  Colony  now,  where 
public   sympathy  v/ill  be  no  advantage  to   you,  and 

^'Eigbt  ycnra  slavery  for  n  "Hfcr" — seven  for  fourteen  years — five 
for  seven,  and  other  sentences  in  proportion. 


LETTERS    PROM    V.   i).   L. 


»i 


(Jij 


f  *<.a3- 
'*you 

I'.".;  for 

Lintable 

oiiduct 

to  the 

mav 

nd  vc- 

siirvoi- 

ancipa- 

at.  last, 

■ss    ]:cr. 

airninjic 
nduct.'' 

0  time, 
last  do- 
ll 0  men 
id  been 
lurncd, 
)d,  and 

1  crime 
^ratula- 
istico," 
mdorod 
netful  ly 
re  pla- 
VQ  you 

whore 
u,  and 

irs — five 


wlierc  all  the  inhabitants  will  deem  it  their  duly  lu 
keep  the  strictest  watch  over  you — where,  for  a  slight 
'3ensure  of  Iho  government,  your  punishment  will  be 
SiU'cre.  You  come  with  a  character  for  sobriety,  mo- 
rality, and  even  piety,  seldorn  found  here;  but  all  this 
will  avail  you  nothing,  imless  you  practise  the  same.  1 
-.vould,  therefore,  recommend  you  to  abstain  from  a 
connection  with  the  other  class  of  prisoners,  whose 
furte  is  unbounded  criminality.  I  c:ui  not  toll  what 
will  be  your  situation  Iiero,  for  you  arc  sent  witliout 
especial  orders,  and  ^v•o  are  undcterAiiined  yet;  hov^^e- 
rcr,  whatever  it  may  bo,  I  hope  you  will  invariably 
maintain  such  conduct  as  to  conurni  our  present  good 
opinion  of  your  ■private  characters.'' 

By  the  advice  given  in  the  latter  part  of  his  excel- 
tcncy's  speech,  my  countrymen  supposed  they  were  to 
be  separated  from  the  felon  gang;  and  they  rejoiced 
in  the  hope,  for  they  did  not  comprehend  the  possi- 
bility of  otherwise  keeping  themselves  distinct.  But 
they  were  miserably  undeceived  at  night  ftdl,  when 
"ihey  were  indiscriminately  mustered  with  the  hvrdc 
into  various  wards,  in  alphabetical  order — eacli  con- 
taining from  forty  to  sixt}'  person;:. 

It  was  somi'  v/ecks  before  they  concluded  to  ^>-r«n/ 
the  Americans  tlio  privilege  of  assignment;  and,  in 
the  mean  time,  the  Superintendent,  a  shrev/d,  pene- 
trating person,  told  them  tliat  he  had  not  the  right  of 
putting  them  at  work;  he  would,  therefore,  leave  it 
optional  with  tliem  to  labor  or  not;  yet  he  would 
advise  them,  as  a  friend,  to  go  out  with  the  gangs,  as 
the  work  would  be  light,  and  the  free  air  would  coji- 


\\'\ 


:M 


I    I* 


.  I 

1 


f 

^ 


2G1 


LETTERS    FnOM    v.  D.  L. 


1  .  k ' 


.    '  -',  r  ''  ■  ■' . 


■f.;. 


^':h^Ur:  ^: 


;l  ■■■■•• 


■V? 


>>■■ 


■•'iff'    i 


';■■■.:',;  ■    .      '  ■■ 

■5  ',  V  •♦.•-. 


1  1  I     ^Ij^i  ;..■ 


■:ri„ 


V 


"  ■.,••'•  t       .  ■.    ■*'■  * 


tribute;  nioro  to  their  hoaltii  tiian  remaining  shut  in  the 
yard.  Tiioy  thought  so  too,  and  wore  rather  anxious 
io  sec  the  town,  thcn'ctbro  went  out,  expecting,  as  it 
was  discretionary,  that  they  could  remain  iii  at  any 
lime;  but  hero  thoy  "reasoned  witiiout  tiieir  hosl;,''  for 
when  once  cnlisfech  notkinq  hat  sickness  could  exempt 
t/tcni/roni  labor.  Tiio  work  was  quarrying,  breaking, 
and  wheeling  stone  for  IMcAdaniizing  the  streets  ot" 
liobarttown.  It  was  not  easy  employment,  but  still 
they  found  more  bitterness  attending  a  *'proper  submis- 
sion'' to  the  tormenting  annoyances  of  the  convict 
overseers,  who  took  pleasure  in  vexing  them,  for  the 
purpose,  most  probably,  of  getting  an  opportunity  of 
complaint,  on  account  of  the  distinctive  features  of 
their  class.  Of  these,  however,  after  three  or  four 
weeks,  Waggoner,  Vernon,  ]\lallery,  and  Cooley  were 
relieved,  by  an  assignment  to  diilerent  settlers  in  the 
country,  leaving  Mr.  Chandler,  who  had  returned  from 
the  hospital,  and  been  made  ward's-man,  and  myself;, 
who  still  remained  there. 

1  do  not  know  but  that  I  ought  to  regard  the  fatality 
which  sent  me  to  the  hospital,  as  a  providential  cir- 
cumstance, inasmuch  as  I  there  obtained  much  infoi^ 
mation  that,  no  fit  iibt,  was  a  great  assistance  in  aver- 
ting blows  often  ucsigned  for  me,  by  thoso  beings 
whom  I  afterward  was  forced  into  contact  with.  Ma- 
ny of  the  occupants  of  the  hospital  were  "old  hands,'^ 
(men  who  had  been  long  in  tli'^  Colony,)  and  they 
sought  to  induct  me  into  the  mysteries  that  bound  to- 
gether the  various  classes  of  prisoners  throughout  the 
Colony,    that  I  might,  as  they  termed  it,  become  a 


LETTEUS    rnOiM    V.   D.   L. 


205 


t  in  the 
anxious 
g,  as  it 
at  any 
M,  •^  lor 
exempt 
;akijig, 
ccts  of 
but  still 
sub  mis- 
convict 
for  the 
unity  of 
urcs  of 
or  four 
oy  were 
s  in  the 
cd  from 
myself, 

fatality 
tial  cir~ 
h  infoi*- 
in  aver- 

beings; 
1.  Ma- 
lands,'-' 
id  they 
>und  to- 
lout  the 
3Qme  a 


'*cliuin'^  for  '*ol(l  liaiuls,"  boforo  my  time;  I  was  un- 
commonly tractable,  and  made  acquaintance  with  ma*' 
ny  of  the  general  vicious  and  criminal  courses,  with- 
out "taking  the  usual  degrees."  I  learned  the  method 
they  resorl'.'d  to,  to  raise  the  ready  lor  'du.di,"  (drink,) 
and  to  cvado  discovery — how  they  madii  up  the  defi- 
ciencies of  provision,  caused  by  the  penury  of  their 
masters,  by  *'woeding''  tlieirr — wliilo  the  company 
took  turns  in  conveying  tlic  booty  to  a  general  recep- 
tacle, and  the  proceeds  were  thrown  into  a  public 
j)ui'se — subject  only  to  public  wants,  or  the  necessities 
of  a  "gala'"  time,  such  as  Christmas,  the  day  follow- 
ing, (boxing  day,)  and  St.  Patrick's — "lioly  days'' 
for  prisoners,  regulated  by  law.  This  "weeding"  is 
a  practice  adopted  l)y  the  assigned  servants  of  each 
farm,  who  steal  from  their  masters,  in  small  quanti- 
ties, whatever  they  can  dispose  of,  and  "plant"  (hide) 
it,  until  a  sufficient  quiintity  is  collected  to  make  up  a 
"swag"  (load)  for  market,  when  it  is  sent  by  the  mas- 
ter's inisly  man,  wlio  is  always  in  the  secret,  to  a 
"cove,"  (receiver,)  who  })ays  some  thirty  per  cent,  of 
its  value  in  '•'•slilnci's,  yellow  hoys,  or  inint  rags;^^  and 
another  thirty  per  cent,  in  rum,  or  "half-and-half" 
(ale  and  porter  mixed.)  These  removes  are  always 
made  "under  the  rose,"  (in  secret,)  ])rinci pally  when 
the  "bloke"  (proprietor)  is  out.  Uut  I  hardly  saw 
how  such  things  could  be  ellected,  when  the  country 
swarmed  with  constables.  "Oh!  that  was  easy  enough, 
as  it  was  a  good  part  of  the  trajj^s  living,  for  a  croivn 
would  make  that  all  right;  and  none  were  hauled  up^ 
but  such  as  wouldn't  fork  over;  and  the  cove^  when  h^* 


i 


mm 

m 

ii  Sr  Hft 

<\ifi  nf 
1  |!;i  1 

1  •  •  1  ■ 

A 

^ii 

If! 

■! 


f 


• 

1    .    ■  • 

H-;: 

t 

^■r- 

I" 


K.  • 


|r 


^^ 


If* 


•206 


LETTHRS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


discovers  any  ^/f7?r/4  (suspicion)  resting  upon  hiinsolf, 
always  makes  complaint  of  having  some  property 
lifted,  and  applies  for  a  resident  Irapf  who  takes  tlio 
down  olTtlie  place,  and  all  ngain  is  whisl.  And,  then, 
when  the  party  has  a  down  iipun  either  ])((].■  s  (male) 
coming  //,  (informing  ngainst  them,)  the  triclcslcr  (a 
false  swearer)  makes  oath,  and  the  pcaclicY  gets  the 
triangle,  (place  when*  a  man  is  tied  for  a  Hogging,) 
solitary,  six  months  on  the  roads,  a  chain  gang,  or, 
perchance,  I'oi't  Artliur.''''  Those  instructions  1  found 
of  great  service  to  me  afterward,  for  every  farm  con- 
lains  su(di  a  clique — not  that  I  wished  to  avail  myself 
of  a  connexion — but  that  it  enabled  me  to  fathom  many 
of  the  schemes  formed  against  me,  aiid  rc-possess  my- 
self of  such  property  as- had  been  stolen  from  what  was 
under  my  care,  and  for  which  1  was  accountable. 

From  the  hospital  I  wrote  to  England,  and  gave  the 
letters  to  an  oihcer  of  a  Ijritish  ship,  who  had  been 
confined  by  the  scurvey.  1  also  gave  a  note,  written 
on  the  lly  leaf  of  a  testament,  addressed  to  Mr.  jMc- 
Kenzic,  to  an  American  seaman,  who  was  also  an  in- 
mate for  several  weeks.  From  the  first  of  these,  and 
some  other  letters,   I  have  received  replies  already. 

After  two  months  residence  I  left  the  Colonial  hos- 
pital, and  proceeded,  with  a  pass,  to  the  prisoner's  bar- 
racks, where  my  ticket  obtained  inc  immediate  en- 
trance, and  I  was  directed  to  Mr.  Chandlers  ward; 
into  v/hich,  at  twilight,  when  the  outside  laborers  had 
come  in  and  supped,  were  mustered,  by  Mr.  Gunn, 
sixty  men,  some  of  whom  were  the  worst  beings  man 
'3Vor  beheld.  I  must  pass  over  this  building  without  des- 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


•207 


fiiillSOlf, 

property 

takes  tlio 

^11(1,  tlicn, 

''.V  (male) 

•ichslcr  (a 

■)•  ^oAii  tlie 

ilogging,) 

gang,  or, 

lis  I  Ibuud 

farm  con- 

ciil  my  so  If 

lom  many 

Dsscss  my- 

I  what  was 

table. 

(.1  gave  the 

had  Lccii 

0,  written 

Mr.  lAfc- 
Iso  an  in- 
tiiese,  and 
I  a.Ircru]y. 
onial  hos- 
)ner\y  bar- 
cdiatc  en- 
ir's  ward; 
orers  liad 
[r.  Gunn, 
3ing.s  man 
it])oiit  des- 


cription, and  only  say  that  it  contained  some  fourteen 
liiuidred  men,  nil  (^f  whom  eat  in  one  room,  ami  then 
leave  you  to  form  your  own  conception  of  tJKj  manner 
in  which  we  spent  our  time  in  Kuch  a  bedlam.  Con- 
•jtable.s  promenaded  the  yard  and  kept  the  gate,  to  pre- 
vent any  thing  pas-ing  contrary  to  order.  The  su- 
perintendent's house,  and  the  chap- 1  for  the  priyonera, 
fronted  the  yard,  the  latter  of  whicli  had,  underneath, 
a  vast  number  of  dark,  1<av,  dis-nial,  damp,  /loorlesy 
ocll.-i  for  solitary  punishment.  K  treadmill  also  be- 
longed to  the  barracks,  upon  which  some  twenty  or 
thirty  men  were  continually  **trea(ling''  out  all  the  Hour 
of  rice,  barley,  and  wheat,  that  the  prisoners  consumed 
jmd  where  they  slej)t  during  their  condign  sentence. 
In  the  yard  too,  as  if  to  blast  the  sight  of  every  inmate, 
fjtood  the  iidiuman  triangle^  upon  which  from  live  to 
twenty  individuals  invariably  received,  each  morning, 
some  dozens  of  laslies  on  the  bare  back  or  posteriors. 

The  provisions  wcro  but  a  trifle  better  than  received 
at  the  hulk;  and  our  beds  consisted  of  one  mattress  and 
two  blankets,  almost  black  v/ith  fleas,  and  alive  with 
lice;  while  every  crevice  of  the  hox  berth,  and  the  wall, 
was  wedged  full  of  bugs.  With  such  companions  who 
could  sleep?  1  could  not!  so  had  recourse  to  narcotics, 
irupplied  by  the  visiting  surgeon.  I  refrain  from  com- 
ment, and  permit  you  to  form  your  worst  conceptions 
of  miser}^,  and  then  say,  you  are  far  short  of  the  real 
state  imcli'icli  I sjicnt  tivo  ircel:s;  during  which  time, 
however,  I  never  was  put  at  work,  but  kindly  permit- 
ted to  w^alkout  into  the  town  occasionally,  and  have  sev- 
eral interviews  with  the  principal  superintendent,  Mr. 


nb 


f'f 


':m  , 


f, ! 


'i 
\ 


n' 


m 


.  X^J»iiiiMlivil»UMai'  >i>«l,*«;<''Ua4>^-^ 


1  ^ 

f 

r 

1; 

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■  1 

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■■MM: 

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.< 

'■ 

', 

■:\r'  ." 

■■t  ■<:.■■■ 

\ 

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t 

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t 

!        '           ■     •*,  * 

■    ■  .■7:.'i' 

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1 

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'';i-' 

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'1 '. 


b^f  '•■ 


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■'h  )  " 


208 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


Gunn,  a  man  standing  six  feot  throe,  and  weighing  nine 
and  a  half  score,  with  a  rough,  dare-devil  look,  and  a 
piercing  eye;  ho  is  wonderlldiy  shrewd,  and  when 
having  once  seen  a  man,  he  ever  after  knows  him. 
He  had  but  one  arm,  havi'ig  had  the  right  shot  off  by 
bush-rangers,  whom,  as  a  Lieutenant,  he  was,  with  his 
company,  in  pursuit  of;  tins  misfortune  recommended 
liim  to  the  government,  in  whose  estimation  he  now 
stands  higli,  tliough  not  at  present  enjoying  the  prin- 
cipal superinteudency,  yet  several  other  oflicesofcmol- 
ument  and  trust. 

On  the  lltli  Octo])er  Mr.  Chandler  was  assinged  as 
a  carpenter,  to  Conmnssary  General  Roberts,  who  also 
wanted  me  as  a  clerk  and  storekeeper.  He  had  a 
great  ditneulty  to  surmount  in  obtaining  two  Ameri- 
cans, as  it  had  been  ordered  "-by  the  Gov.  in  coun- 
cil, that  none  of  thorn  siiindd  be  allowed  to  remain  in 
a  seaport,  or  two  to  go  to  one  master."  However,  by 
threatening  to  resign,  he  gained  his  point;  and  there- 
fore^ Mr.  Chandler  and  myself  were  happy  in  being 
sent  together  to  his  farm,  fifty  miles  from  Hobarttown 
and  seven  from  C>atlands.  The  name  of  the  establish- 
ment is  Ashgrove,  and  contains  six  thousand  acres  of 
land,  on  which  are  some  of  the  most  beautiful  moun- 
tains, sugarloaves,  and  other  scenes,  that  you  can  pos- 
sibly fancy.  My  duty  is  to  collect,  issue,  and  account 
for,  all  provision  and  clothing  wanted  by  twenty  men 
employed  on  the  place — to  keep  a  minute  diary  of 
occurrences — to  muster  the  two  thousand  sheep,  quar- 
terly, with  the  two  hundred  cattle,  and  several  horses; 
at  the  same  time  to  furnish  a  most  particular  dcscrip- 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


2G9 


filing  nine 

ok,  and  a 
and  when 
lows  him. 

lot  offbv 
s,  with  his 

m  mended 
n  lie  now 

the  prin- 
ts of  eniol- 

jsinged  as 
,  who  also 

ic  had  a 
'o  Ameri- 
.  in  coun- 
reniain  in 
'Wcvcr,  by 
md  thcve- 
'  in  being 
obarttown 
scstablish- 
d  acres  ol' 
fid  moun- 
u  can  pos- 
id  account 
enty  men 

diary  of 
3ep,  quar- 
al  horses; 
r  descrip- 


tion  of  them — naming  every  ^;pot  and  mark  and  brand 
— to  keep  secure,  under  lock  and  key,  and  account  for 
every  particle  of  wool,  produce,  6cc.  raised  on  or  com- 
ing to  the  farm — and  render  a  weekly  schedule  to  Mr. 
R.  Then  add  to  this,  the  duty  of  a  teacher  of  five 
children,  which  has  been  apart  of  my  vocation  for  the 
last  six  months,  and  the  multiplicity  of  cares  would 
seem  to  exclude  the  possibility  of  my  writing  these  let- 
ters. Indeed  I  have  found  it  extremely  difficult,  for  al- 
most every  moment  of  my  time  has  its  engagement, 
from  four  in  the  morning  until  eleven  at  night;  but  hav- 
ing commenced,  it  apears  no\,  the  only  amusement  I 
have,  saving  the  monthly  letters  for  my  iaithful  wife, 
who  last  addressed  me  from  Canada,  whither  she  has 
returned,  and  is  continuing  her  strenuous  exertions  to 
effect  my  complete  emancipation.  The  following  is 
the  result  of  her  conduct,  of  which  she  had  informed  me 
some  weeks  before  I  received  it. 

"Principal  Superintendent's  Office, 
'''Sd  August,  1841. 

''AIEMORANHrM. 

"In  reply  to  your  application  for  a  Ticke!  of  Leave,  I  hove  to 
ncqunint  you,  that  his  Excellency,  the  Liinitennnt  Governor,  has 
been  pleased  to  ni)provo  of  yo'.ir  receiving  bucIi  Indulgence.  You 
will,  therefore,  report  yourself  to  the  Police  Magistrate  of  the  Dis- 
trict in  which  you  reside,  who  will  take  your  description,  and  for- 
ward tlie  same  to  the  MuGtrr  Master's  Office,  where  the  necessa- 
ry documents  will  be  prepared  for  you, 

'M.  SPODE, 

*'0N  PUBLIC  SERVICE  ONLY.  Principal  Sup*t, 

"To  Benjamin  Wait, 

'Marquis  Plastings,' 

"P.  Roberts,  Esq., 

"Oatlands." 


(< 


^.'' 


if. 


vll* 


fi 


.-.^.fwif*'*^' 


sif;tta'*»»«Hri*,.'SJrtt.. 


1 


W 


\ ^•\  e 


•'■'..  I^;:i-  '■i-?'l 


'j.  Js  P4^ 


V 


!''•••  'ii  !<.■-.•■!■•  < 


■     ''illi'-W-'K'    "'r 


l!    i 


•'if 


[■\-:v- 


.     ■"!■.     it    U 


M] 


■ff 


270 


LETTERS    FROr.I    V.  U.   I.. 


TJiis  indulgence  gives  me  the  permission  of  labor- 
ing for  wages,  and  selecting  my  own  employer  and 
labor;  but  docs  not  emancipate  me  from  the  arbitrary 
**Prison  Code,''  or  "Summary  Punishments.*'  Yet 
in  its  enjoyment,  I  hope  to  be  successful  in  laying  by 
some  funds  to  assist  mo  to  return^  in  some  future  day, 
to  my  homo  and  friends,  if  not  by  permission,  on 
French  leave.  It  was  procured  not  only  for  myself, 
but  also  tor  all  the  Americans  here,  who  arc  to  enjoy 
it  after  two  year's  servitude,  in  the  capacit}^  of  a  slave, 
instead  of  eight  years,  which  is  the  usual  course  Wc 
are  indebted  to  tlie  patriotic  conduct  and  entreaties  of 
my  beloved  wile,  for  this  slight  dawn  of  liberty.  God 
bless  her,  and  may  she  succeed  in  her  most  ardent 
wish,  according  to  her  heart's  desire,  is  the  united 
prayer  of  all  her  countrymen  in  this  ocean  bound  jail. 

I  will  only  add,  that  my  historical  correspondence 
is  pretty  nearly  closed,  and  subscribe  myself, 

My  dear  sir, 

Yours,  «kc.  &c. 


[I  have  considered  it  proper,  at  this  part,  to  break 
off  my  personal  narrative,  and  insert  ]\Irs.  Wait's  let- 
ters, which  follow;  then,  at  their  termination,  resume, 
for  the  purpose  only,  of  giving  a  brief  account  of  the 
country,  arid  a  few  incidents  occurring  there.] 


;,:!»« 


of  labor- 
oycr  and 
arbitrary 
is.--'     Yel 
laying  by 
tare  day, 
5sion,    on 
r  mys-cli; 
to  enjoy 
•f  a  slave, 
Lirsc  ^Xc 
treaties  of 
rty.     God 
)3t  ardent 
he  united 
-ound  jail. 
jpondencG 


to  break 
V'ait'h;  let- 
,  resume, 
int  of  ti)e 


.] 


MRS.   WAIT  S  LETTER. 


LETTER  XVII. 


271 


New-York,  xYugust  2;3d,  18:39. 

To  — , 

My  Dear  Friend:  Amid  tlic  noise  and  bustle  of  this 
grand  commercial,  and  beautifully  located  city,  I  sit 
down  to  redeem  the  pledge  I  gave  when  I  last  wrote, 
by  informing  you  of  my  safe  arrival  here,  and  the 
success  which  has  thus  far  so  favorably  attended  me 
on  my  mission.    I  remained  in  Lockport,  where  I  was 
the  grateful  recipient  of  all  the  kindness  tliat  Christian 
sympathy  could  bestow,  until  May  last,  when  two  let- 
ters reached  me  from  Mr.  Wait,  one  dated  5th  Feb'y, 
on  board  the  York  hulk,  a  prison  ship,  where  he  had 
been  placed,  in  connnon  with  the  most  vitiated  of  En-^- 
land's  degraded   felons,  and  suffered  every  indignity 
and  hardship  from  the  cruelty  of  his  oppressors.   This 
letter  informed  me  that  there  was  a  prospect  of  some 
of  the  Canadians  being  released  in  London,  whither 
they  had  been   taken  by  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  to  un- 
dergo an  examination  before  the  Qiicen's  Bench,  on 
the    ground  of  illegal    proceedings    r'l'^tive   to    their 
transportation,  but  that  there  was.  little  •  tiu'ice  of  any 
thing  being  done  to  effect  his  liberr-t'oii,   although  he 
had  been  encouraged  to  hope  for  a  return  to  \mcrica, 
which  was  but  a  delusion  too  soon  lo  be  dispelled;  as 
the  next   letter,  dated    15th    March,    announced    the 
heart-rending  intelligence,  that  he  had,  without  a  mo^ 
ments  warning,  been  ironed  and  sent,  with  eight  other 
Canadians,  on  board  the  transport  ship,  "Mfirquis  of 
Hastings,"  then  lying  at  Spit  Head,  ready  to  ^ail  for 


ii 


ii 


I . 


Miwiiili  iiiKwaawti 


/ 

■  1 

% 


\  I 


1"  ■;;,':■■' 


V- 


'i.V 


V'^  ■  ^: 


I*;       I  » 


,1 


f    ,'      I 


ti' 


MRS.    wait's    letter, 


Van  Dieman's  Land.  Although  I  was,  for  a  time, 
overpowered  by  this  astounding  reality,  as  well  as  the 
affecting  adieus  breathed  in  his  letter,  it  aroused  mo 
again  to  action. 

I  left  Lockport  immediately,  to  return  to  Canada, 
intending  to  procure  certificates  of  character,  and  eve- 
ry thing  that  might  bear  favorably  on  my  poor  hus- 
band's case;  confirlcntly  trusting  tliat  I  should  yet  bo 
enabled  to  carry  them  to  England,  which  hope  seemed 
hourly  strengthened  from  the  moment  of  my  starting; 
for  I  found,  on  the  canal  boat  that  conveyed  me  to 
Buffalo,  a  warm-hearted  family  of  reformers,  by  the 
name  of  Wynan,  from  t^t.  Thomas,  in  Canada,  who 
had  been  visiting  their  friends  in  the  Eastern  states. 
In  conversing  with  them  on  tlio  state  of  our  country, 
the  sufferings  entailed  upon  tlio  participants  in  the  re- 
bellion, I  showed  them  JMr.  Wait's  letters,  and  inform- 
ed them  of  m}^  intentions,  if  permitted  to  carry  them 
into  effect;  though  it  v.'oulu  evidently  be  attended  with 
difficulty,  on  account  of  pecuniary  embarrassment;  as 
my  family  had  been  dispersed,  and  nearly  every  thing 
available  from  the  wreck  of  property  I  once  might 
have  commanded,  had  already  been  expended  in  my 
exertions;  and  that,  did  [  not  go  farther,  it  v/ould  be 
owing  alone  to  these  circumstances,  as  I  had  then  set 
out  to  make  the  effort.  This  excited  quite  an  interest, 
there  being  a  number  of  i)atriotic  spirits  on  board,  who 
with  young  Mr.  Wynan  at  their  head,  held  a  council 
instanter.  and  resolved  tliat  m  effort  should  be  made  at 
least  in  that  company,  to  aid  me  in  prosecuting  my 
plans  in  behalf  of  the  captives;  and  well  indeed  did  those 


FllO-M    SEW    YOUK. 


27 


<j 


I'  a  time, 
cll  as  the 
)uscd  mo 

Canada, 
and  cvc- 
)oor  lius- 
d  yet  bo 
lO  seemed 
starting; 
cd  me  to 
s,  by  tlje 
ida,   who 
i*n  states. 
counti'v, 
n  the  re- 
d  infovm- 
rry  them 
idcd  with 
iment;  as 
cry  thing 
ce  might 
>d  in  my 
would  be 
then  set 
interest, 
•ard,  wlio 
L  council 
)  made  at 
iting  my 
did  those 


generous  persons  suit  the  action  to  the  spirit,  loT's;^ 
less  tlian  two  hours,  Mr.  Wynan  entered  tlie  cabin 
and  handed  mo  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution,  with 
a  request  that  I  \\*ou]d  accept  the  enclosed  thirty 
dollars,  as  an  earnest  of  their  sincere  wishes  for  mv 
success;  hoping  it  might  give  the  subject  an  impetus 
it  would  not  lose  until  the  object  was  finally  acconi- 
plishcd,  for  which  my  most  heart- felt  tiianks  were  of- 
fered; and  my  being  thus  far  on  my  journey  to-day,  is 
conclusive  evidence  that  their  kind  wishes  have  not  us 
yet  been  disappointed;  and  I  Gtill  trust,  that  the  sequel 
will  prove  it  to  have  been  an  indication  indeed  of  the 
e.pproval  and  protection  of  Providence,  as  vrcll  as  the 
precursor  of  a  happy  result. 

The  kindness  of  this  generous  family  offered  a  seat 
ill  their  carriage  wliich  I  gladly  accepted  as  they  would  . 
))ass  the  door  of  my  friends,  where  I  wished  to  stop; 
and  at  which  place  they  left  mo,  proceeding  on  their 
way,  after  the  profler  of  their  kindest  wishes  for  my 
ultimaic  happiness,  and  a  return  of  the  grateful  adieus 
0^  myself  and  fri  ::nd.^'. 

liere  1  left  my  dear  child,  and  commenced  oj)era- 
lions  by  collecting,  among  my  ]lusband^3  acquaintan- 
ces, certificates  of  his  former  good  character.  I  went 
to  llaldimand,  where  we  had  last  resided,  and  obtained 
a  great  number  of  most  respectable  testimoniMs,  which 
were  riitified  by  the  signature  of  Wm.  11.  Merritt,  Esq., 
the  worthy  and  distinguished  member  of  Parliament  for 
that  constituency,  who  seemed  not  a  little  astonished 
that  I  should  luive  conceived  the  idea  of  going  to  h'ng- 

land,  considcu'ing  the  circumstances  in  which   I   vva^- 
Id 


t>i 


I 


■1  \  ■' 


Si  1 


:■!' 


<  ,M 


"W.AW».„UU.,K>»'*  ' 


I  , 


■J.: 


VIR.S.    WAIT  a    LETTER. 


!   I 


];!•;'■       '■■■ 


:i  '■. 


•ii;. 


M^,:' 


1;^  '       J    ■       ••■' 


<  .  . 


piacca,  though  he  readily  and  most  kindly  gave  int 
lotlers  of  introduction  and  recommendation  to  oificia' 
i.')iai'acter&  in  England,  with  one  to  Richard  Irvm, 
l^sq.,  of  this  city,  containing,  as  I. afterwards  learned  to 
ny  advantage,  a  check  on  that  gentleman  for  twenty 
'loliars,  which  was  most  gratefully  accepted,  and  will, 
with-  Mr.  I\Ierriti's  corresponding  kindnesses,  be  re- 
iMeniboreo  witii  thai  deep  sense  of  gratitude  so  emincni- 
\\  due.  ]  was  extremely  fortunate  in  procuring  iiic 
itcossary  testimony  irom  the  most  respectable,  whore- 
's cj.  i  applied,  througiiout  the  Niagara  district,  anti 
V  M ..  much  encouraged  by  the  kindness  shown,  and  tiic 
!'  \ent  wishes  breatiied  for  my  success  in  the  irdu- 
.»  iS  undertaking;  and  noi  until  I  had  linaiiy  obtamea 
I.  '  loquisite  documents,  did  J  realize  that  1  must  bin 
.)  iGu  to  my  friends,  perhaps  for  the  Iusl  time.  Ann 
I'V  cieai  child;  I  had  no  means  of  taking  her  witn  nic 
— couid  i  do  so,  1  might  be  prevented  by  sickness,  ou 
i')r  voyage,  from  giving  licr  the  requisite  care  and  at- 
loiition;:  ana  should  ii  even  be  otherwise,  I  could  not  at- 
It  liu  to  the  many  duties  of  my  mission  with  an  infan; 
i;  my  arms.  Yet  the  thought  of  leaving  her  i  couki 
>>..rirceiy  tolerate,  for  a  moment;  and  should  I  not  suc- 
ceed ii»  Euglaiid,  and  eventually  join  my  husband  m 
I; is  land  of  exile,  my  heart  must  still  yearn  for  my  ab- 
hjni.  child.  Could  you  but  imagine,  my  aear  friend., 
i.'ic  licrtri-sickening  eTecL  oi*  these  sa'd  redections,  you 
vould  attribute,  as  1  must  ever  do,  alone  to  Divint: 
power,  the  strength  that  enabled  me  to  decide  in  this 
1' latter  of  vital  moment.  1  made  it  a  subject  of  prayei 
^u  God  by  day,  and  in  the  vigil  of  the  midnight  houi 


FROM    NEW    VORK 


•^<D 


gavu  lilt 

o  official 

rd  li'vin, 

earned  to 

»r  twenty 

and  wili, 

s,  be  re- 

eminent- 

iring  int' 

c,  whore- 

trict,  and 

i,  and  the 

the    irdu- 

obtainea 

must  bia 

MC-     Ann 

Wltll     lllC 

icness,  Oh 
L'c  and  at- 
lid  not  at- 
an  in  fan; 
r  i  couict 
.  not  sLic- 
isband  in 
3r  my  ab- 
ar  tVicnci., 
ions,  you 
:o  Divinf. 
le  in  this 
ot^  prayer 
ffht  houi 


continued  my  supplications  for  guidance  and  direction 
I  would  press  my  dear  babe  to  my  breast,  and  lay  ii, 
ai^  it  were,  on  the  ahar  of  mercy,  with  an  ardent  dcsin 
for  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  was  it  but  in  mercy 
made  known  to  me.  Thus  nearly  a  week  of  dread- 
ful anxiety  passed,  while  I  continued  my. preparation.,, 
iiot  only  for  my  own  journey,  but,  also,  for  the  child, 
should  I  conclude  to  lake  her,  I  had  made  arrang'.- 
rncnts  to  leave  Canada,  and  go  to  BuiTalo,  agreeably  tc 
the  invitation  of  a  friend,  on  Wednesday,  the  fifth  ^'i 
July;  the  Sabbath  previous  being  the  last  I  could  expect 
to  enjoy  with  my  friends  in  Canada;  still  1  was  unde- 
cided about  my  child,  though  every  maternal  alfoction 
;>eemed  to  entwine  around  my  heart  with  incxtricai)!(> 
tenacity;  diis  too  was  a  sleepless  and  intensely  anxious 
nighto  Again  I  submitlcd  the  case  to  Him  who  is  ex:ii- 
ted  in  accepting  tlic  sacrifice  of  a  broken  and  contrit(> 
spirit,  and  prayed  with  a  fervor  that  I  had  scarce  eve 5 
t.>eforc  experienced,  wlien  a  calm  and  consoling  resii^- 
nnlion  was  diflused  through  the  soul,  and  I  felt  that  tin 
condict  was  [)ast. — I  could  then  leave  her  withoiu 
an  additional  struggle,  confident  that  He  to  whose  carr  1 
had  been  enabled  to  commit  her,  would  i)e  to  her  -norr 
Uian  a  mother. 

f  iiad  taken  leave  of  my  elder  brothers;  the  young- 
ust  now  came  to  bid  me  adieu,  'ere  I  left,  and  by  whon» 
t!ic  generous  philanthropist:^  of  Dunnville  sent  ?(  sui»- 
.'itantial  demonstration  of  their  kind  feeling,^ wiiicii, 
with  all  similar  manifestations,  was  most  thankfully 
received.  On  Wednesday  morning  I  was  rcaay  iv/ 
cross  the  Niascara.     I  took  mv  dear  babe. in  mv  arm- 


!■  (; 


^ 


s 


W-''-i 


•:76 


MUS.    wait's    LKTTiiR, 


I  i 


<  V**   i-  111' 


t  ,,    i 


v'irrH.> 


li  ..■;.>ii>  - 


ri'  '■,■/' 


:f:'il'\ 


■M  'J 


m-^ 


.1 


'4' 

■^4 


to  give  a  parting  embrace,  who,  perceiving  a  tear 
.stealing  down  my  check,  took  her  little  apron  and  wi- 
ped it  away,  endeavoring  thus  to  console  ^^'poor  ma,^^ 
which  she  could  but  impcrlcctly  articulate,  by  her  en- 
dearing caresses;  little  knowing,  poor  dear,  the  cause 
of  her  mother's  sorrow;  and  1  thanked  heaven  that  she 
was  shielded,  by  her  innocent  childhood,  from  even  ix 
momentary  pang  on  the  occasion.  I  went  to  Buffalo, 
accompanied  by  a  respectable  lady  of  your  acquaint- 
ance, Mrs.  Field,  who  kindly  introduced  me  to  her 
friends,  to  whom  I  feel  much  indebted  for  subsequent 
introductions  to  generous  and  sympathising  perrions, 
who  did  much  to  aid  mo,  especially  to  the  Uov.  Mr. 
Choules,  v/ho  gave  mo  letters  of  importance  to  Eng- 
land, which,  I  doubt  not,  should  I  reach  that  country, 
will  be  very  serviceable  to  me.  I  took  the  canal  at 
Tonawanda,  whor{  mv  ai^-'^d  father,  who  is  a  refuwc 
from  his  homo,  waited  to  bid  mo  farev/ell;  l)ut  I  will 
pass  over  the  struggle  which  cliciicd  a  "God  bless  you. 
my  child,"  v/liilo  scalding  tears  coursed  their  channels 
down  his  "grief-worn  check,''  and  spoke  too  })lainlv 
of  desolation  and  wo.  These  painful  [nirtings  being 
past,  my  mind  dwelt,  in  the  ardency  of  hope,  on  the 
object  of  my  missioii.  I  spent  a  little  time  v.'ith  my 
kind  friend  i  in  Locd'cport,  then  proceeded  to  Rochester, 
where  1  visited  Mrs.  John  G.  Parker,  who  ^hcard, 
while  1  was  there,  of  the  happy  release  of  her  hus- 
band, v/ith  eight  olhrrs,  in  London.  I  had  mourned 
with  Mrs.  P.,  and  1  most  heartily  rejoiced  with  her,  in 
the  cheering  prospect  of  his  restoration  to  herself  and 
her  dear,  interesting  family. 


FROM    NEW    YORK. 


277 


g  a  tear 
and  wi- 

oor  Wirt," 
b'  her  cn- 

hc  cause 
|i  tliat  she 
m  oven  a 

nuflhlo, 
lacquai  tit- 
le to  lier 
ii.\scqiicnt 

pcrF:ons, 
Rev.  Mr. 

to    ]'J}g- 

country, 
canal  at 
a  rofurrcc 
l)Lit  I  will 
bless  you. 
channels 
>o  plainlv 
tigs  being 
e,  on  the 
v.ith  mv 
ochcstcr, 
0  heard, 
her  h US- 
mourned 
li  her,  in 
r.self  and 


It  was  conaidorcd  I>y  some  with  whotn  I  conversed 
here,  that  this  indulgence  of  the  British  government  to 
a  part  oi*  tho  American  prisoners,  augured  a  speedy 
release  of  the  whole;  and  that  it  would  be  supcr/luouy 
for  mo  to  go  to  England  and  intercede  for  those  who 
had  gone  to  thcil-  land  of  captivity,  a^j  the  government 
would,  doubtless,  restore  them  'ere  long:  if  otherwise, 
my  eilbrt.s  could  avail  little  at  Downing  street,  as  I 
would  be  but  a  female  in  a  strange  land,  whose  appli- 
cations would  likely  bo  passed  uinioticed  by  the  autho- 
rities. The  latter,  I  thought,  might  bo  possible;  yet  I 
felt  bold  to  make  the  attempt,  and  abide  the  result;  but 
to  the  former  suggestion,  of  the  unsought  liberality 
of  the  government  to  the  unfortunate  prisoners  in  V. 
1).  L.,  I  could  give  no  credence.  Had  1  been  disposed 
to  do  so,  the  severe,  rigorous  course  pursued  toward 
them,  of  which  I\Ir.  Wait's  letters  informed  mo, 
would  alone  undeceive  me  on  that  point;  though, 
I  must  say,  I  ll-It  somewhat  encouraged  by  the  fact 
that  even  a  portion  had  been  emancipated  from  thral- 
dom; and,  if  possible,  felt  marc  anxiety  to  pursue  my 
journey,  and  endeavor  to  cflect  the  same  for  others. 

Accompanied  by  his  lady,  I  visited  Mr.  McKenzic, 
whom  I  had,  for  years,  looked  upon  as  the  faithful 
champion  of  Canadian  rights;  and  felt  not  a  little  in- 
dignant, when  ushered  into  his  grated  prison-bouse,  at 
seeing  him  incarcerated,  in  a  land  of  freedom,  for 
what,  indeed  appeared  to  me,  a  marvellous  offence^  as 
I  had  looked  upon  his  conduct  as  merely  an  acquies- 
cence in  the  border  plans,  that  originated  in  sympathy. 
I  could  not  but  indulge  in  feelings  of  reproach  toward 


i;. 


'oMwiMUaiaxiv  ~ 


'278 


MRS.  WAIT^S    LETTEK. 


I  I 


.1/ 


it:':.!  '. 

Mr,  ;■■!."•• 


'i:^ 


iff 


%0 


rlie  American,  who  could,  in  an  oflicial  document,  de- 
clare, that  the  *^synipat/iising  Yankecs^^^  were  nothing 
nut  the  **5c«??i  of  American  society;"  and  advise  that 
power  which  tramples  relentlessly  on  the  rignt?  of  its 
subjects,  *Ho  deal  with  them  as  might  be  deemed  most 
proper  to  sustain  the  Royal  authority  in  the  Canadas." 
Ikit  I  l)eg  you  will  pardon  this  digression,  a-.  ^  am  a 
(Janadian,  and  must  feel  most  deeply  on  the  subject. 
Mr.  M.  gave  mo  a  warm  greeting,  and  smiling  at  the 
novelty  of  his  situation,  kindly  gave  me  his  counsel, 
with  letters  to  distinguished  characters  in  England, 
wishing  me  *'God  speed,"  though  he  said  I  would  be 
•'but  a  drop  from  the  clouds,  in  London." 

The  RcM .  Mr.  E.  Tucker  kindly  look  me  lo 
the  packet,  and  handed  me  a  letter  irom  my  very 
kind  friend,  Mr.  Van  Tine,  of  Bulfalo,  enclosing 
■xn  additional  sum  to  that  already  I'eceived  from  the 
good  citizens.  Mr.  T.  also  gave  me  a  letter  to  Mr. 
(rarrowy  U.  S.  jMarshal,  residing  at  Auburn,  whither 
I  proceeded,  by  stage,  i^rom  Montezuma,  and  met  u 
hearty  welcome  in  the  fcrmily  of  my  excellent  friend, 
ihe  Rev.  Mr.  Johnston,  recently  from  Canada,  who 
had  taken  a  deep  interest  in  ]\Ir.  Wait's  case,  while 
there.  He  kindly  and  most  energetically  exerted  his 
influence  for  me,  which  produced  a  good  feeling,  re- 
sulting much  to  my  bonciit.  I  was  also  most  kindly 
received  by  IMr.  Garrow  and  family;  and,  indeed, 
treated  with  generous  attention  by  the  liberal  people — 
the  patriotic  Mr.  Stowe,  with  other  gentlemen,  taking  a 
deep  interest. 


Ill « 


FROM    NEW    YORK. 


nu 


lent,  dc- 
nuthing 
^iso  that 
Jf^  of  its 
led  most 
Inaclas.'^ 
^  am  0. 
subject, 
at  the 
counsel, 
ngiand, 
^ould  be 

nic    to 
ly  very 
iclosing 
•oui  the 
•  to  lAfr, 
whithei 
I  mot  a 
friend, 
a,  who 
,  while 
•ted  his 
fig»  rc- 
kindly 
ndecd, 
ople — 
king  a 


i  left  AiibLirii  amid  the  blessings  and  prayers  of  my 
friends  for  success,  travelling  per  rail  road,  which  is 
a  grand  piece  of  work  through  mountains,  across  la- 
vine.s,  on  the  verge  of  precipices,  and  at  length,  through 
"he  celebrated  salt  works,  reached  Syracuse,  where  J 
met  some  kind  friends.  I  visited  the  little  village  of  k-'a- 
Jina,  and  saw  the  mourning  widows  VVoodrnff  and 
Cucklev,  whoso  unfortunate  husbands  wore  sacriliccd 
111  Kingston,  by  the  hand  of  despotism.  They  are 
both  mieresting  women.  I  sherl  Mio  tear  of  sympathy 
xvith  them,  and  could  do  no  mr  but  pray  that  tnt 
friend  of  the  widow  wouhl  grant  :,hcm  the  rich  conso- 
lation of  his  holy  spirit. 

I  was  again  on  the  rail  way,  passing  throiiij;h  a  (ow. 
marshy  country,  also  through  a  tunnel  under  the  E\'i<' 
•anal,  and  thence  to  the  fine  city  of  Utica,  whore  I 
was  much  assisted  by  the  sensation  aroused  by  a  Mv. 
[-lubbel,  Mr,  Bennet,  and  other  benevolent  gcntlcm"n 
ui  my  behalf.  From  thence  I  came  on  a  boau*it''nl 
line  of  rail  road,  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  the  vn- 
rer  of  which  is  very  dark,  and  had  a  view  of  the  Li 'He 
Falls,  which  arc,  indeed,  the  fac  simile. of  what  thoir 
/lame  indicates,  as  they  appeared  to  me  but  triiling 
cascades,  though  the  scenery  is  very  rugged,  the  coun- 
ny  romantic  and  picturesque.  T  spent  a  few  days  ai 
Canajoharie,  with  my  sister,  Mrs.  Simpson,  at  which 
place  there  was  much  sympathy  manifested  by  ^ho 
generous  inhabitants,  who  kindly  protTered  their  airi 
m  the  enterprise.  1  was  delighted  with  the  richness 
and  beauty  of  the  country  through  which  I  passed 
from  this  to  Albany,  being  drawn  up  an  inclined  plane 


If  ■!' 


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7 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


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uso 


MRi?.   WAIT  y   i,i;tti:k, 


■  t  I 


I 

I- 


Mi-; 


►  ^  '■ 


'.^  -. 


ii 


III  iSchoiicctady,  by  Iho  force  *>(*  l-jcKk't]  cars  running 
down  on  anollicr  track,  which  was  rather  a  novolty  to 
rnc*,  and  the  danger  of  which  1  could  not  but  fancy, 
though  I  believe  accidents  seldom  occur  at  that  place. 
At  Albany  1   met  with  the  utmost   kindness  from  thr 
philanthropic  Friend  Humphrey,   who  elicited   much 
sj'mpathy,  and  obtained  f^ome  letters  of  introduction  for 
England.      I  would  now  fain  give  you  an  idea  of  the 
gorgeous  beauty  displayed  to  the  traveller,  in  descend- 
ing the  noble  Hudson  to  New  York;  but  the  scenery 
beggars    the    dcscriplivc   power  of   my  pen.     A   few 
beautiful  islets  lie  dotted  about  in  the  stream  with  fan- 
cy observatories,  while  on  eitlier  iudo  are  flourishing 
towns  and  villages,  rich  farms  and  shady  groves,  fine 
shrubber}-,  and  towering  mountains  in  the  distance, 
with  white  cottages  and  pavilions  on  their  sunnnits, 
having  a  most  charming  e(K;el  on  the  beholder.     West 
Pohit,   in  my  estimation,  far  surpasses  any  scene  on 
the  route  for  natural  beauty.    I  had  but  a  distant  view 
of  the  garrison,  for  which  I  was  sorry;  and  saw,  on 
the  opposite  side,  the  Sing  Sing  prison,  that  appeared 
a  rather    low  building,  standing,  by  no  means,  on  a 
commanding  site.     Some  distance  below  West  Point, 
as  if  to  rival  the  native  magnificence  of  it,  appeared 
the  palisades,  which  presented  a  high,  perpendicular, 
and  majestic  front,  continuing  for  some  miles,  bearing 
the  semblance  of  marble  columns,  closely  put  together, 
with  architectural  nicety.     It  is,  indeed,  most  grand. 
There  were,  perhaps,  one  hundred  and  fifty  sail  on 
the  river,  running  up  with  a  iino  breeze;  and  I  could 
not  but  reflect  on  the  different  aspect  presented  here, 


•.•*?<■•■, 


.,!Vi 


FROM    NEW    YORK. 


2H1 


■s  rujiniriif 
novel ly  to 
JLit  fancy, 
>1ijU  phice. 
3  from  tlir 
ited   much 
luclion  for 
(Ica  of  tho 
1  tlosccnd- 
0  scenery 
t.     A   few 
with  fun- 
loLirishing 
ovcs,  fiiK; 
(listtmce, 
summits, 
M-.    West 
scene  on 
tant  view 
saw,  on 
appeared 
ms,  on  a 
:st  Point, 
appeared 
ndieular, 
!,  bearing 
together, 
t  grand. 
'■  sail  on 
I  could 
ed  liero, 


from  tliat  on  the  other  side  of  the  great  Niagara;  many 
parts  of  which,  in  jjoint  of  natural  grandeur,  will  rival 
even  this  scenic  country;  for  our  own  d;'ai  Canada  is 
beauteous  too,  though  lying  dormant  under  ihc  paral- 
i'/ing  innucnce  of  that  powor  wliich  opproi^  es  hor  sons, 
find  crushes  the  s[)irit  of  cnt'rprizo.  Ihit,  to  proceed; 
the  talented  refugoe,  Mr.  IJidwcU  called  on  mo  yes- 
terday, tenderiug  his  kindest  sympathies,  ihat,  indeed, 
consisted  of  more  substance  than  words,  as  ho  most 
honevolently  opened  his  purs",  giving  me  his  valuable 
advice,  willial,  for  which  I  v  is  deeply  grateful.  lie 
was  much  alfected  when  speal;ing  of  Canada's  wrongs, 
and  the  melancholv  circumslaaces  altendine;  the  recent 
inclfectual  struggle  for  lil)L'rty;  for  he  had  been  a  suf- 
ferer himself,  and  hoped  that  Kngland  would  indeed 
be  lenient  to  those  political  ollenders,  who  had  already 
sullered  so  much  from  being  sent  into  captivity.  Thus, 
my  dear  friend,  have  those  brilliaul,-;  who  shed  a  lustre 
on  Canada,  and  whose  virtue  and  eloquence  might  well 
do  honor  to  the  country,  been  driven  from  her  soil. 
Alas,  alas!  when  will  it  bo  othcrv.ise?  Surely  not  un- 
til those  who  are  alone  worthy,  shall  hold  the  reins  of 
government. 

I  was,  this  morning,  accompanied  to  the  packet  shi[) 
in  which  I  expect  to  sail  within  a  few  days,  by  Mr.  [r- 
vin,  the  gentleman  to  whom  Mr.  J^.Ierritt  introduced 
me,  and  who  has  kindly  procured  me  a  letter  of  intro- 
duction, from  a  friend  of  his,  to  the  Honorable  Charles 
A.  Murray,  mai^tcrof  the  Queen's  household,  for  wliich 
I  am  most  thankful,  as  Mr.  Murray's  influence  will  bo 
of  no  slight  importance.     I  have  hero  met  my  cousin, 


! 


( 


I 


■i 

I  ■ 


'^ 


►  Vi' 


'A,  l,*..--J.,  .  ^^,^-_-_ 


iS2 


Mtt8.    WAIT'b    letter, 


&-    t 


J  it- 


Dr.  Park,  who,  with  Mr.  Durand  and  their  tamihcb, 
have  just  returned  from  England.  They  unite  m  say- 
ing thai  the  only  hope  for  the  unhappy  prisoners  rests 
m  my  application,  as  their  legal  friends  can  do  noth- 
ing for  them  in  point  of  law.  Will  it  not,  indeed,  be 
wonderful  if  I  accomplish  any  good?  Do,  my  friend, 
pray  earnestly  for  my  success  and  3up})urt.  I  trust 
that  God  will  hear  our  prayers  and  yet  loose  the  bonds 
ot  tno.  prisoners.  I  am  now  nearly  ready  to  embark, 
and  will  soon  bid  adieu  to  America;  and  should  1  in- 
deed go  to  the  antipodes,  I  shall  cease  not  to  remember 
the  gratitude  I  owe  to  the  generous  sympathy  of  the 
American  people,  who  have  befriended  me  so  very 
materially.  The  aid  I  have  received  from  them 
amounts  to  about  three  hundred  dollars,  wiiich,  together 
with  the  assistance  provided  by  my  friends  in  Canada, 
may  come  far  short  of  what  my  necessities  may  re- 
cjuiro  in  a  strange  and  ex-pensive  country;  still  I  feel 
not  to  despond;  perse\  erance  is  my  motto,  and,  f 
doubt  not,  but  that  kind  Providence  hitherto  so  mer- 
cifully providing  for,  will  continue  to  protect  and  suc- 
cour me. 

Mr.  Durand  was  one  of  the  deputation  of  gentleman 
who  acted  in  behalf  of  the  prisoners  already  released. 
He  has,  also,  given  me  letters;  consequently  I  havo 
the  happy  prospect  of  not  being  destitute  of  friends  in 
England.  I  have  just  received  a  kind  letter  from  El- 
<ier  Tucker,  of  Rochester,  enclosing  an  evidence  of  that 
gentleman's  commiseration.  It  is  now*  Saturday  eve- 
ning, and  on  Monday  the  ship  is  to  sail;  she  has  a 
most  comfortable  cabin,  and  carries  mc  out  for  seventy 


FROM    NEW    YORK. 


•283 


tamilicb, 
to  in  say- 
icrs  vests 
do  notli- 
ndeeil,  ho 
ly  triond, 
I  trust 
tho  bonds 
I  cmbarjv, 
itdd  1  m- 
'oinombcv 
ly  of  tho 
I  so  very 
om    them 
, together 
1  Canada, 
may  re- 
till   I  feel 
D,  and,   I 
so  mer- 
and  suc- 

cntleman 
released, 
y  I  have 
'riends  in 
from  Ei- 
iccof  that 
rday  evc- 
;he  has  a 
r  seventy 


Mvc  dollars,  which  is  twcnty-fivc  less  than  the  ordmary 
price.  I  will  keep  this  letter  open,  and  should  time 
ucrmit,  will,  on  Monday,  givo  tho  intermediate  mci- 
dents. 

iAIoNDAY  i\IoRNiNG. — I  attended  church  yesterday 
morning,  and  heard  a  most  able  and  impressive  dis- 
course from  the  pathetic  appeal  of  the  Macedonian  to 
the  apostle,  in  the  vision,  "come  over  and  help  us" — 
Acts,  XVI,  9 — delivered  by  the  Rev.  Spencer  II.  Cone, 
who  applied  his  text  in  a  masterly  manner,  clearly 
showing  the  responsibility  devolving  upon  christian 
prolcssors  to  exhibit  the  precious  truths  of  "the  over 
l)lessed  and  glorious  gospel,''  to  a  perishing  world,  in 
tho  morning,  I  accompanied  the  kind  family  of  ^Mr. 
Colgate,  to  whom  Mr.  Johnston  introduced  me,  to  the 
Mulberry  Tabernacle,  and  hoard  an  excellent  and  en- 
ergetic sermon,  from  a  young  man,  whose  name  I  d'd 
not  learn.  How  consoling  are  the  sacred  truths  of 
scripture,  to  the  tried  and  alllicted  spirit,  who  realizes 
tho  vanity  of  all  things  here  below. 

I  must  close,  as  we  sail  within  a  few  hours.  Von 
will  hear  from  me  after  my  arrival  in  England,  through 
my  brother  T.,  to  whom  I  shall  write  as  occurrences 
Transpire,  should  tho  Lord  be  pleased  to  prosper  the 
"oyage. 

Adieu, 

MVRIA   WAIT 


» 1 


5 
,\'. 


;!'  I 


I  !■ 


Ji 


;'i 


"K*******!!*!" ,  I  iL!r.,Mfc'^-s*ia,rr»-«i.«; 


f    ..' 


W    ' 


'  i 


}":. 

'■.:■■■#! 

1 

284 


MU8.    wait's    letter, 

LETTER  XVllI. 


London,  December  20,  IBoO. 
iMy  Dear  Ijrollicr: 

Tlirco  m ontlis  have  now  elapsed  since  1  wrote  you 
from  N.V.;  iminedi.'ilcly  after  wliieli,  I  sailed  for  this 
country.  1  am  most  happy  in  saying,  I  luul  an  excel- 
lent pa., sago,  oi*  twenty-one  days,  and  landed  at  Ports- 
mouth, where  I  could,  iVom  my  hotel  window,  see  the 
York  hulk,  on  board  of  which  my  |)oor  dear  husband 
spent  last  v/inter,  in  wretched  sullering;  but  as  the  ob- 
ject of  my  solicitude,  with  his  unfortunate  companions, 
iiad  gone  still  farlhor,  1  looked  upon  the  engine  of  cru- 
elty with  feelings  of  mingled  horror  and  reverence;  the 
latter  for  having  once  held  a  being  dear  to  me. 

I  was  remarkably  VvcU  at  sea,  being  mercifully  pre- 
Bcrved  from  sickness,  while  many  of  the  passengers 
endured  much.  I  enjoyed  the  voyage  exceedingly,  and 
never,  before,  looked  with  tho  wonder  and  admiration 
on  the  works  of  God,  as  I  did  while  gazing  on  the  mag- 
nificent grandeur  of  the  mountainous  and  mighty  deep, 
during  and  after  a  storm.  The  sea  in  motion  on  a 
dark  night  has  a  phosphorescent  appearance,  and  pre- 
sents to  the  eye  a  vast  expanse,  glistening  with  innu- 
merable and  sparkling  brilliants,  while  the  wake  of  the 
fihip,  for  some  distance,  looks  like  a  transparent  stream 
or  rather  resembles  the  phosphoric  appearance  of  wood, 
when  in  a  stale  of  decomposition,  aittl  which  is  so  fre- 
quently met  with  in  our  American  forests.  This  is 
generally  su[)posed  to  be  caused  by  a  minute  species 
of  animalcule,"  with  which  the  sea  is  so  abundantly 


■'i' 


FROM    LONDON. 


•285 


I,  1600. 

vvroto  you 
:(1  for  this 
I  an  cxccl- 
icl  at  Ports- 
iw,  SCO  the 
,r  husband 
t  as  the  ob- 
)mpanions, 
!;inc  oi'cru- 
:rcnco;  tho 
no. 

cifully  prc- 
pas?(.'ngers 
lingly,  and 
admiration 
)n  the  rnag- 
igiity  deep, 
otlon  on  a 
50,  and  pre- 
with  innu- 
wake  of  tlic 
rent  stream 
ice  of  wood, 
h  is  so  frc- 
s.  Tliis  is 
ute  species 
abundantly 


filled,  while  a  few  still  ascribe  it  to  the  saline  proper- 
ties of  the  water;  but  from  whatever  cause  it  may  pro- 
ceed, 1  can  admire  the  grand  eilect,  and  adore  the  pow- 
er divine,  "which  luid  tho  measures  thereof,  when 
the  morning  stars  sangtogethcjr,  and  ail  the  sons  of  (Jod 
shouted  for  joy.''  Tie,  indeed  '*made  the  deep  to  boil," 
and  a  bright  path  to  shine  in  the  waters;  tor  which  he 
is  wortliy  to  be  praised  by  the  )nastcr  being  of  his 
workmanship,  mini,  whom  ho  has  condescended  so 
^'fearfully  and  v/ondv-rfidly  to  make  in  his  own  image,'' 
giving  him  the  eniie    ing  powers  of  intellect. 

Wo  had  some  very  fme  weather  that  liappi'y  gave 
me  an  opportunity  of  witno.'-sing  a  sun-c  t  at  yen,  tho 
praises  of  which  liave  so  often  been  sung,  it  is  need- 
less for  me  to  essay  a  descrijition;  I  will  merely  add 
that  it  is  superbly  splendid  and  that  1  hav(^  be'^i  lost 
in  admiration  v/hilo  viewing  the  resplendent  orb  decli- 
ning beneath  the  horizon,  and  si:iking,  to  appearance, 
in  tho  depth  below;  his  parting  rays  slieddiug  the  most 
beautiful  and  varied  tints  upon  the  western  arch,  giv- 
ing it  all  that  softness  which  is  a  celebrated  charac- 
teristic of  the  Italian  sky,  and  which  lost  nothing  in 
richness  and  beauty,  by  renection  on  the  expansive 
bosom  of  the  ocean. 

On  tho  evening  of  the  twont3''-sixth  day  after  leaving 
America,  land  was  descried  by  the  *'man  in  tho  fore- 
top,"  and,  in  accents  of  joy,  /and  was  re-echoed 
throughout  the  ship.  We  were  informed  by  the  Cap- 
tain, that  we  were  passing  the  Scilly  Isles;  and  that, 
as  we  were  now  on  the  rhiglish  coast,  he  hoped  to 
land  us  at  Portsmouth  the  next  dav.     The  mornins: 


!f 


I, 


1 


I'ii 


r 


•jMlKtrOliBJifMMHm  ■i4U.  m.  .ua..:' 


2S*> 


illlS.     WAIT  b    LETTER, 


I  i 


:       I,-  . 


;,fM, 


■:  f  ^  ,  ■ 


if 


proved  very  fine,  allbrding  us  an  excellent  opportunity 
oi  beholding  the  majestic  and  chalky  clilFs  at  the  west- 
ern extremity  of  the  exquisite  Isle  of  Wight,  to  v/hich 
wo  approached  very  near,  in  passing  through  thi.' 
Needles. 

In  sailing  up  the  north  side  of  the  island,  I  saw,  f'oi 
the  first  in  my  life,  the  beautifully  green,  and  neatly 
trnnmcd  hedges  of  England.  They  give  a  rich  and 
garcicn-likc  appearance  to  the  fields;  and  you  may 
readily  suppose  that  the  country,  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  presenting,  occasionally,  the  turrets  of  an 
Miicicnt  castle,  was  not  an  unpleasant  sight  to  those 
who  had  not  seen  land  for  many  days.  Had  my  mind 
been  ai  rest,  I  should  doubtless  have  enjoyed  these 
scenes  superlatively;  but,  feeling  that  I  was  entering 
a  strange  land,  alone  and  unprotected,  (save  by  Mini 
who  is  ever  near  the  desolate,)  with  arduous  duties  b«> 
forc  me,  I  was,  indeed,  ill  fitted  to  appreciate  the  beau- 
tics  thus  presented  to  me. 

(  saw  but  little  of  Portsmouth,  as  I  merely  passed 
through  it  the  morning  following  my  arrival,  on  my 
way  to  London,  a  distance  of  seventy  miles — forty  of 
which  1  came  by  rail  way.  The  town  is  well  fortified, 
and  celebrated  for  its  fine  docks.  I  was  perfectly 
amazed,  though  amused  withal,  at  the  manner  in 
which  travellers  are  here  beset  for  porter's  and  ser- 
vant's fees.  You  pay  one  for  taking  your  baggage  to 
the  hotel — another  for  placing  it  in  your  room — a  third 
for  returning  it  to  the  hall — a  fourth  for  putting  it  on 
the  coach — the  coachman  then  tips  his  hat  in  expecta- 
tioQ  of  his  douceur,  for  driving  you,  although  you  have 


'■i^- 


FROM    LONDON. 


•2s: 


)|)porlunity 
it  the  wcst- 
iy  to  v/hich 
rough    the 

I  saw,  foi 
ind  neatly 
I  rich  and 

you  may 
fn  state  of 
•rets  of  an 
it  to  thosr 
i  my  mind 
)ycd  these 
s  entering 
VQ  by  Mini 
;  duties  be- 
3  the  beau- 

oly  passed 
al,  on  my 
— forty  of 
1  fortified, 

perfectly 
nanner  in 
s  and  scr- 
)aggage  to 
n — a  third 
tting  it  on 
ti  expccta- 

you  have 


f)aid  at  tne  proper  office,  the  sum  required  for  youi 
passage— each  of  these  worthies  expecting  at  least  an 
Englisii  shilling  for  his  services.  The  same  custom 
jirevails  among  the  visible  servants  of  the  hotels;  and 
rii  every  change  of  conveyance,  a  new  lackey  lifts  hi.<«'. 
hat,  until  the  traveller,  unaccustomed  to  these  things, 
fancies  himself  a  regular  subject  for  leeches^  and  con- 
sequently puts  his  hand  in  his  pocket,  whenever  any 
one  approaches  him. 

Travel  ling  by  coach  the  distance  of  thirty  miles,  i 
had  a  fine  view  of  the  country;  many  parts  of  it  how- 
over,  are  very  barren,  especially  in  the  region  of  the 
cnalk  hills,  throi;gh  which  innnense  excavations  have 
tx'cn  made,  toalFord  a  more  easy  and  gradual  ascent; 
and,  indeed,  every  care  is  taken  here,  to  preserve  good 
roads,  over  which  one  rattles  with  great  celcritv. 

In  passing  through  Farnham,  the  great  hop  country, 
wo  saw  multitudes  of  the  peasantry  gathering  this  ar- 
ticie,  so  extensively  cultivated  and  used  here.  This 
merry  season,  for  the  poor  peasants,  was  not  unaccom- 
panied by  their  usual  visiters  on  these  occasions.  The 
gipsies  were  in  attc"  r'cnce,  to  tell  the  fortunes  of  the 
credulous,  to  whisper  some  ominous  and  mysterious 
sentence  in  the  ears  of  the  sceptical,  and  pick  up  what 
might  fall  in  their  way  during  their  nocturnal  excur- 
sions— a  brown  and  squallid  looking  people,  indeeti, 
uno  wander  from  place  to  place;  some  on  foor,  while 
others  may  have  a  donkey  and  small  cart,  the  latter 
aflording  them  shelter  for  rest,  beneath  which,  is  sus- 
pended an  iron  pot,  or  some  article  in  which  they  cook 
their  food. 


-i... 


t 


I 


i 


288 


Mlia.    WAITS    LLTTKIl, 


1     .    ' ' 


TIio  rail  roads  here  aro  constructed  on  a  much  moro 
solid  and  permanent  basis  than  those  in  America — the 
entire  rail  Inking  ca:^jt  iron.  There  arm  three  classes 
of  ears;  tlio  lirst  lil{<'d  up  in  superb  style,  the  second 
less  so,  and  tho  third  simply  a  box,  without  shelter,  in 
which  those  rifle  who  are*  unable  to  pay  more  than  a 
trifling  sum.  The  passenger  Icels  uwlhlng  of  that  un- 
pleasant jar  so  universally  e.\j)ericnced  on  our  roads, 
and  sits  with  all  the  comfort  antl  case  that  he  could  in 
his  own  arm-chair. 

1  reached  this  city  about  four  V.  3.1. ,  in  company 
with  a  g:;ntl  Milan  anil  lady,  who  were  fellow  passengers 
with  mo  from  Now  York;  on  the  following  morning, 
they  loft  the  inn  to  visit  their  friends;  while  I,  rcali- 
'/ing  the  loneliness  of  my  situation,  set  out  on  the  grand 
business  of  my  mission.  i\Iy  first  c;ill  was  at  113"i, 
Cheap  side;  Mr.  Ashur.st  was  not  in,  but  I  saw  Mr. 
Widler,  of  whoiri  Mr.  W'lid  v/rote  as  taking  a  deep 
interest  in  the  Canadians;  ho  kindly  invitiul  me  to  his 
house,  until  I  could  procure  suitable  lodging,:!.  I  in- 
formed him  to  whom  J  had  brought  letters,  and  he  ren- 
dered me  mueii  assistance,  by  giving  me  the  addres&es 
of  those  persons,  and  writing  to  others  whom  ho  knew. 
Ascertaining  that  Lord  Durham  was  in  town,  1  imm(j- 
diately  waited  upon  him  with  letters  from  IMr.  jMerritt 
and  Mr.  Clujules;  he  enclosed  them  in  a  communication 
from  himself  to  Lord  Jolin  Ilussel,  then  Colonial  Sec- 
retary, and  informed  him  of  what  he  knew  of  the  cii- 
cumstances,  hoping  his  JiOrdshij)  would  give  the  nint- 
ter  his  attention.  I  learned  that  VVm.  Allen,  a  bene\- 
olent  gentleman,  of  the  society  of  Friends,  had  intlu- 


v. 

r  ■ 


FROM     LONDON. 


•26?» 


luch  moro 
rica — I  ho 
r((j  classes 
lli(j  second 
shelter,  in 
n\i  than  a 
of  that  un- 
o'lr  roads, 
10  could  in 

n  company 
l):isson,'5crs 
^  irioniing, 
Ic   f,   reali- 
n  iho  grand 
as  at   Vrt, 
I   saw   Mr. 
ing  a  deep 
d  nic  to  liis 
n^:^.     I  in- 
and  ho  ren- 
in addressca 
hi  Ikj  knew, 
vn,  1  irnme- 
Mr.  jMerritt 
inuinicatioii 
ilonial  Seo 
V  of  the  cii- 
'o  the  nint- 
n, a  bone\- 
had  influ- 


ence with  Lord  John;  to  him  1  presented  It.tlers  from 
Lindley  Murray  IMoore,  of  Rochester,  and  Mr.  Uurand 
of  Canadii;  u[)on  which  ho  kindly  ollered  his  services, 
and  appointed  a  lime  when  lie  would  accompany  me 
to  his  Lordship.  I  next  pros(;ntcd  k;tters  of  introduc- 
tion from  Mr.  Choulcs,  to  the  Uevcrcnd  Drs.  Reed  and 
Cox,  of  Hackney,  who  kindly  advised  with,  and  gave 
mo  their  inHucnce.  1  had,  also,  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
Choulcs,  to  Mrs.  Reed,  in  whom,  as  well  as  Miss.  Goss. 
an  authoress  who  was  residing  at  Dr.  Cox's,  both  tal- 
Icnted  and  accomplished  ladies,  1  have  found  invalu- 
able friends;  for  whoso  kindness  to  me,  in  this  hour  of 
trial,  1  must  ever  feel  the  deepest  emotions  of  gratitude. 
These  dear  friends  soon  i)rocured  mo  an  excellent  board- 
ing house,  in  their  innncdiatc  vicinity.  Here  1  felt 
the  consolation  of  christian  sympathy;  without  which, 
at  this  time,  I  could  scarcely  have  been  sustained.  Fe- 
male prayer  meetings  were  held,  whore  the  most  ear- 
nest and  aUcctionatc  appeals  were  made  to  the  thron 
of  Heaven,  for  strength  to  be  given  me,  and  for  tlu- 
prosperity  of  the  mission;  that  husbands  and  fathers, 
who  were  suffering  in  bondage,  and  whose  chai'actcrs 
had  not  been  stained  with  moral  crime,  might  be  re- 
stored to  their  families  and  friends;  oft  in  these  pre- 
cious seasons,  have  I  felt  my  vigor  renewed,  and  been 
encouraged  to  press  forward  in  the  contest  with  the  most 
sanguine  hope  of  succes^s. 

I  availed  myself  of  the  kind  interest  of  Dr.  Reed,  Dr. 
Cox,  and  Mr.  Roebuck,  with  my  friend,   Wm.  Allen, 
and  waited  on  Lord  John,  who  would  present  a  peti- 
tion to  the  Queen  for  me,  which  was  all  he  then  felt 
19 


f 


i 


1 1 


.l\)0 


MIlH.     WAl'l'b    LKTTEK, 


himself  at  liberty  to  do.      lie,  however,  eventuaU^ 
transferred  the  matter  to  Lord  Normanby,  upon  whom 
I  waited,  with  my  memorial  to  the  (^ueon.     His  Lord- 
.slii|)  received  mc  most  graciously,  and  regretted  much 
iliat  he  could  not  act  at  once,  from  the  impulse  of  his 
I'cclings,  and  give  mo  encouragement  of  my  request 
!)cing  granted;  but  he  would  present  my  petition  to  her 
iMajesty,  and  confer  with  other  ^Ministers  on  the  sub- 
ject— then  acquaint  mo  with  the  result.     In  the  mean 
tunc,  every  ellbrt  was  made,  by  my  female  friends,  to 
elicit  the  sympathy  and  interest  of  the  ladies  at  court; 
and  my  friend  Wm.  Allen,  kindly  introduced  me  to 
Jiiy  cousin,  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Fry,  most  justly  sty- 
jod  *'the  female  Howard  of  England;"  whose  philan- 
thropic heart  was  soon  engaged  in  my  behalf.     She  is 
Ml  frequent  conmnmicaton   with  the  Ministers — is  a 
friend  of  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  who  is  mistress 
of  the  robes — has  been  presented  to  the  (iuecn,  and 
IS  acquainted  with    the    Governor  of  Van  Dieman's 
hand,  to  wliom  she  has  kindly  written  m  behalf  of  the 
piisoncrs:  she  will  also  exert  her  infiucnce  here.   And 
apart  from  every  interested  consideration,  I  think  her 
Uic  most  majestic  woman,  in  appearance,  that  I  have 
ever  seen,  and  most  peculiarly  adapted,  in  ability,  to 
the  humane  enterprises  in  which  she  is  so  benevo- 
lently and  extensively  engaged. 

Lady  Barham,  who  is  now  in  waiting  upon  the 
iiueen,  has  been  successfully  approached  through  a 
friend,  and  has  most  kindly  laid  the  matter  before  her 
Majesty,  who,  to  use  lady  B^s  own  language,  in  a  rc- 
•ent  communication,  "expressed  herself  as  being  much 


FllO.M     LONDON. 


\!iH 


eventually 
pon  whom 
His  Lord- 
3ttcfl  much 
Isc  of  his 
y  request 
tioii  to  her 
1  the  suh- 
tho  mean 
rionds,  to 
s  at  court; 
ccd  ine  to 
justly  sty- 
sc  philaii- 
^     She  is 
tors — is  a 
is  mistress 
uccn,  and 
l^ieman^s 
mlt'of  the 
lerc.   And 
think  her 
lat  I  have 
ability,  to 
3  benevo- 

I'pon  the 
hrough  a 
efore  her 
»  in  a  rc- 
ingmuch 


died  with  the 


Uanccs  ot'  the 


and  was 


unicl 

pleased  to  say,  that  she  would  consult  her  ministers  on 
the  subjoct,  when,  should  it  be  deemed  practicable,  she 
would  be  glad  to  listen  to  the  application,  and  grant 
the  request;  though  it  was  most  dillicult  to  act  in 
these  matters.''  'J'hus  has  tlie  private  influence  of 
those  benevolent  ladies  surrounding  the  throne,  been 
exerted  upon  the  (iucen,  whom  lady  D.  says,  *Ho 
know  is  to  love;*'  but  wdio,  you  readily  perceive,  is  a 
mere  automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  ministers  of  state, 
(except  in  matters  exclusively  personal,  as  she  can  only 
act  in  accordance  with  their  views,  touching  cases  of 
[)olicy,  although  she  does,  indeed,  exercise  more  ihan 
a  nominal  prerogative,  relative  to  those  connected 
with  her  private  wishes  and  interests. 

Upon  the  Honorable  Mr.  Murray's  receipt  of  the 
letter  1  brought  from  New  York,  he  most  kindly  in- 
terceded with  Lord  N.,  and  wrote  me  the  result  of  his 
interview,  which  I  here  inclose. 

"WiNDsoK  Castu;. 
"Mnilnni: 

"I  would  not  trouble  ynu  willi  a  rciily  (o  your  nolo  oi"  the  loth 
until  I  had  Hccn  and  sijoken  with  Ibc  Secretary  oi'Slntc,  rcspecl- 
iiig  Ihe  prospect  that  he  c«n  hold  out,  of  a  mitigation  of  your  Uuh- 
hand'a  punishment. 

"You  must  be  awnre,  that  however  touched  ho  may  be  by  your 
distress,  as  well  as  by  your  devoted  perseverance  in  your  husband'^ 
behalf,  Lord  Normanby  is  obliged,  as  a  rceponeiblc  ndvifier  of  the 
Crown,  to  exercise  his  prerogatives  impartially,  and  according  to 
just  and  fixed  principles;  he  has  every  disposition  to  consider  your 
case  favorably,  but  the  ultimate  result  must  depend  much  upon 
your  husband's  own  conduct,  as  well  as  upon  Ihnt  of  the  Canadas 
during  this  ensuing  winter;  because,  if  thoy  f-hould  ngain  show 


d 


'i 


I    |i:» 


>  m 


..^p 


' ' 


292 


MRS.    WAIT'^S    letter, 


^ . 


I  I 


,  -^ 


.:■■!! 


signs  of  disafl'ection  and  disturbance,  the  government  will  noot^e- 
sarily  be  prevented  from  exercising  that  mercy  to  which  they 
might  otherwise  be  inclined. 

"Will  you  .-^Mow  me  to  nek,  whether  pecuniary  distress  is,  at 
present,  addeu  to  your  o1  her  alHictions?  If  it  is  so,  I  shall  be  hnppv 
to  contribute  any  thing  in  my  jiower  to  your  relief  from  that  por- 
tion of  your  trouble. 

"Your's,  very  faithfully, 

''CH.  A.  MURRAY. 

*'Mrs.  Wait." 

This  leaves  me  in  a  state  of  suspense,  which,  I  fear, 
may  he  protracted.  1  must  either  wait  the  result  here, 
with  most  limited  means,  or  return,  without  having 
accomplished  my  purpose;  and  I  cannot  think  of  go- 
ing to  V.  D.  L.  until  I  got  a  final  answer  to  my  me- 
morial. 1  can  alone  leave  my  case  with  God,  trusting 
that,  as  He  has  hitherto  so  mercifully  raised  me  up 
friends,  and  provided  for  my  necessities,  lie  will  con- 
tinue to  guide  and  direct,  and,  eventually,  overrule  all 
for  good. 

You  will  have  seen,  by  the  papers,  that  the  (iueen 
is  to  be  married  in  Feb'y;  on  which  occasion,  I  trust, 
through  a  happ)'  influence,  she  may  feel  at  liberty  to 
do  an  act  of  mercy;  though  this  is  yet  to  bo  known; 
consequently  I  must  remain  in  England  this  winter, 
for  which  I  am  ill  prepared — my  expenses  being  una- 
voidably great.  I  cannot  board  for  less  than  five  dol- 
lars per  week,  with  any  comfort;  without  which  1 
could  not  live  in  this  country,  as  the  humidity  of  the 
climate  is  very  severe  upon  me,  and  mj/  health  but  deli- 
cate. 

I  have  not  heard  from  my  dear  husband  since  my 
arrival,  but  have  written,  to  inform  liim  of  my  being 


•■ji?;: 


It  will  necos- 
wbich   Ihey 

listress  ip,  al 
bnll  bo  bnppy 
rom  tbnt  por- 

rURRAY. 

ich,  I  fear, 
csult  here, 
)Ut  liaving 
link  of  go- 
to my  me- 
lt], trusting 
sod  mc  up 
Q  will  con- 
vcrrulo  all 

the  (iuecn 
)n,  I  trust, 
liberty  to 
)G  known; 
is  winter, 
3eing  una- 
II  five  dol- 
t  which  1 
ity  of  the 
h  but  dcli- 

since  my 
my  being 


FROM    LONDON. 


293 


of 


here;  and  have  sent  duplicates  of  the  certilicates 
his  character  to  Sir  John  Franklin,  Governor  of  V.  I). 
L.,  who  has  been  written  to  bv  a  number  of  influential 
friends  in  his  behalf.  I  have  also  transmitted  testimo- 
nials of  Mr.  Chandler's  character  to  him,  and  have 
presented  Mrs.  Chandler's  petition  to  the  Earl  of  Dur- 
ham, as  directed.  Should  1  be  unsuccessful  in  my  ap- 
plications for  their  release,  I  hope  to  make  many 
friends  for  them  in  their  land  of  exile — to  procure,  at 
least,  an  amelioration  of  their  suflcrings,  and,  eventu- 
ally, go  there  myself 

Do,  my  kind  brother,  write  mc  frequently,  and  in- 
form mc  of  my  beloved  child.  1  feel  assured  that  you 
will  now  bestow  that  kindness  and  affection  upon  my 
poor  orphan,  that  you  have  ever  manifested  for  her 
unfortunate  mother,  who  owes  you  more  than  a  sis- 
ter's love.  I  know,  too,  that  the  dear  pet  is  with 
those  who  will  love  and  cherish  her,  for  which,  I  trust, 
they  will  be  richly  rewarded.  T  am  most  anxious  to 
hear  of  our  dear  father  and  brothers,  and,  indeed,  all 
friends,  who,  I  dare  say,  arc  equally  anxious  to  know 
how  the  adventurer  is  likely  to  succeed;  yet  the  an- 
swer is  in  futurity?  nnd  God  onlv  knows  what  it  may 
be;  thankful  am  I  that  I  can  leave  the  case  with  Him 
who  has  powcu*  both  in  heaven  and  earth;  my  prayer 
is,  that  these  trials  may  be  richly  sanctified,  and  all 
redound  to  His  glory. 

The  fogs  are  very  dense  here,  and  at  times,  the  at- 
mosphere, in  the  city  so  heavy,  that  I  have  seen  the 
streets  lighted  by  lamps  at  mid-day;  there  is  generally, 
at   this  season  of  the  vear,  a  thick  cloud  of  smoke 


i 


hi 

.1 


,|  '  i 


i!,,. 


I 


..<^>ja»<wwiii^i»i>Ki[i  jiv.,  ^.. 


i«-Gkfl 


294 


MRS.   wait's  letter, 


il 


,      .S'   I 


I'M: 


hovering  over  l^o?iclon,  upon  which  the  rays  of  the  sun 
occasionally  cast  a  crimson  tint,  giving  it,  at  a  dis- 
tance, the  appearance  of  clouds  arising  from  a  con- 
tinuous mass  of  smouldering  ruins,  and  which  is  oc- 
casioned by  the  consumption  of  so  enormous  a  quantity 
of  coal,  as  no  other  fuel  is  used  here. 

f  his  climate  is  more  temperate  than  ours;  still,  thf 
dampness,  i?i  this  vicinity,  paralizcs  the  system,  and 
most  sensibly  affects  respiration.  Some  medical  gen- 
tleman has  recently  invented  a  peculiar  apparatus  for 
purifying  the  air;  which  is  worn  upon  the  mouth,  and 
through  which  the  atmosphere  is  inhaled,  being  dives- 
ted, by  a  chemical  process,  from  all  properties  obnox- 
ious to  the  lungs.  These  respirators  arc  worn  by  mul- 
titudes; and,  indeed,  the  philanthropic  design  of  the 
inventor  is  obvious,  as  consumption  is  very  prevalent. 

The  finest  youths  are  cut  down  with  this  dreadful 
disease  in  a  most  terrific  manner;  and  very  often 
whole  families  are  taken  otf,  one  after  another,  in 
such  rapidity,  that  one  is  almost  constrained  to  believe 
it  contagious.  I  have  seen  an  aged  mother  weeping 
over  the  portraits  of  four  beloved  and  beautiful  children, 
who  had  all  fallen  victims  to  this  dreadful  scourge,  be- 
tween the  ages  of  sixteen  and  twenty-four — and  that 
within  two  years — the  fifth,  who  was  a  medical  gen- 
tleman, was  likewise  attacked,  and  recently  sailed  for 
the  Island  of  Madeira,  in  hope  that  the  change  of  cli- 
mate might  restore  him,  althougu  the  ravages  of  the  de- 
stroyer were  visible  in  every  lineament  of  his  features. 

And  now,  my  dear  brother,  although  you  are  in  ex- 
pectation of  a  description  of  this  grand  emporium  of 


w 


•  •Is. 


PRO-M     LOXDO-N.. 


29;" 


s  of  tlic  sun 
t,  at  a  tlis- 
rom  a  con- 
vWich  is  oc- 
s  a  quantity 

•s;  still,  thf 
yslcm,  aiiil 
icdical  gen- 
)paratiis  for 
mouth,  and 
jciug  dives- 
rtics  obnox- 
Drn  by  mul- 
:sign  of  the 
y  prevalent. 
liis  dreadful 
very  often 
another,  in 
;d  to  believe 
ler  weeping 
ful  children, 
scourge,  bc- 
r — and  that 
ledical  gcn- 
[y  sailed  for 
langc  of  di- 
es of  the  de- 
;iis  features, 
u  are  in  ex- 
mporium  of 


■1 


:ommerco,  art,  andscioncc,  I  fancy  you  will  be  rath( 
disappointed;  as  I  can  tell  you  but  little  ofthe  wonder- 
ful and  magnificent  metropolis;  its  palaces,  abbeys, 
and  various  monuments  of  architectural  skill;  its  capa- 
cious parks,  and  serpentine  rivers;  its  statues  from  the 
chisels  ofthe  most  celebrated  sculptors,  which  remai)i 
in  grandeur,  as  relics  of  ancient  times,  wlicn  thomnr- 
blc  Queen  Elizebetli,  who  stands  in  the  church  van; 
of  the  glorious  St.  Paul's,  was  in,  'proiiria  pcr.^oiw, 
swaying  the  sceptre  of  England,  and  ministering  den'  h 
to  the  victims  of  her  capricious  tyranny;  or,  when  th- 
monarch  Charles  the  first,  who  is  mounted  on  his  horse 
upon  a  pedestal  seventeen  feet  high,  at  Charing  Cros^-, 
laid  his  head  upon  the  block  at  White  hall,  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  decree  of  the  Commonwealth — neither 
can  I  give  you  an  idea  ofthe  stupendous  and  colossnl 
statue  of  Achilles,  with  his  shield,  which  is  a  speci- 
men of  more  modern  art,  and  was  erected  in  llyth 
Park,  by  the  loyal  ladies  of  this  country,  in  honor  of 
the  victorious  hero  of  Waterloo — nor  indeed  can  I  tell 
you  how  I  have  gone  from  one  place  to  another,  through 
crowded  streets,  and  still  been  mercifully  preserved 
from  all  evil — with  what  feelings  I  have  looked  upon 
the  great  extremes  of  opulence,  and  the  most  abject 
want,  involuntarily  exclaiming,  oh!  that  the  superfluity 
of  the  one  might,  in  a  measure,  be  devoted  to  the  laud- 
able purpose  of  giving  bread  to  the  other,  with  the  dis- 
semination of  useful  instruction,  that  they  might  be 
raised  from  their  state  of  servile  ignorance  and  misery 
and  led  to  the  knowledge — that  the  benificent  Creator, 
m  His  bountiful  dispensation  of  gifts  to  man,  was  iw- 


..1 


f 


1 1 


li^  \ 


'Jt' 


f.3-B  ii    .  It, 


'<       I 


596 


MRS.    WAIT'S    LETTER, 


partial — that  His  intelligent  creatures  arc  all  suscei>- 
tiblo  of  moral,  social,  and  political  virtues,  and  that 
their  state  of  degradation  can,  in  no  wise,  be  imputed 
to  an  inadequacy  of  the  Divine  munificence,  but  is  alone 
attributable  to  the  selfish  ambition  and  arrogance  of 
their  fellow-men,  who,  for  the  gratification  of  their  own 
sinister  motives  and  desires  for  power,  would  sink  tliose 
to  a  level  with  the  brute  creation,  whom  God  has  en- 
dued with  capacity  capable  of  progressive  improvement 
throughout  the  perpetuity  of  existence.  But,  alas,  il' 
oveli  the  gospel  truth,  that  there  is  salvation  provided 
for  fallen  man,  has,  perchance,  reached  their  ears, 
they  have  but  little  idea  of  the  christian  requirements, 
and  cannot  believe  that  thev  have  ever  ollended  the 
majesty  of  Heaven;  fancying  themselves  quite  secure, 
if  they  speak  with  reverence  of  the  "holy  mother 
church,"  and  can  but  repeat  a  prayer  which  they  may 
have  been  taught  to  rehearse  by  some  clerical  oiliciate 
who,  too  frequently,  assumes  the  title  of  "Right  Rev. 
father  in  God." 

Happy  are  we,  if  we  personally  cml)race  the  exal- 
ted privileges  of  the  christian.  Arc  we  not  favored 
of  God  in  hearing  the  sublime  truths  of  the  gospel  faith- 
fully applied  to  the  heart,  while  thousands  of  our  fel- 
low mortals  are  sinking  around  us,  whose  shrouded 
minds  have  never  been  illuminated  by  the  rays  of  Di- 
vine revelation,  and  this  too  in  enlightened  nations'? 
But,  be  it  known,  to  the  honor  of  British  christians,  and 
more  especially  the  dissenting  portions,  that  they  are 
making  every  exertion  for  the  spiritual  and  temporal 
welfare  of  their  suffering  countrymen;  devoting  their 


i     "  1 


.'m.- 


FROM    LONDON. 


297 


all  suscc{>- 

3,  and  that 

bo  imputed 

but  is  alone 

Togancc  of 

>f  tlioirown 

dsink  those 

od  has  en- 

nprovemcnt 

5ut,  alas,  if 

n  provided 

their  ears, 

quircinonts, 

llended  the 

uitc  secure, 

Ay    mother 

di  they  may 

ical  oiliciato 

'Right  Rev. 

e  the  exal- 
iiot  favored 
jospcl  faith- 
of  our  fel- 
e  shrouded 
rays  of  Di- 
2d  nations? 
istians,  and 
at  they  are 
d  temporal 
'oting  their 


energies  most  particularly  to  the  rising  generation. 
Light  is  tiius  beaming  upon  those  who  have  long  been 
lying  in  darkness,  and  in  the  shadow  of  death,  through 
the  inefiicent  ministrations  of  a  corrupt  uncvangclical, 
and  dominant  priesthood,  who  exhibit  the  form,  but  are 
still  strangers  to  the  fundamental  doctrines  and  spirit 
of  Christianity.  Happily,  the  scriptures  arc  now  being 
generally  distributed;  home  missionary  societies  estab- 
lished; and,  indeed,  every  means  used  to  enlighten  the 
poor — may  they  have  ibod  to  sustain  their  perishing 
bodies  also.  You  can  form  no  idea  of  their  wants  until 
you  have  witnessed  them,  as  there  is  nothing,  iJumk 
heaven.,  to  equal  it  in  America.  For  instance;  I  will 
just  repeat  a  talc  of  wo,  which  I  heard  related  with  no 
ordinary  feeling  and  agitation,  by  a  Mr.  Robinson, 
who  is  an  agent  of  the  "christian  instruction  society'' 
in  this  city,  and  who  was,  himself,  the  benevolent  actor 
in  the  scene,  but  a  day  or  two  since,  while  on  a  mis- 
sion of  mercy  to  the  poor.  He  knocked  at  the  door 
of  a  dreary  abode,  in  a  by-lane,  and  while  waiting  for 
an  answer,  heard  the  sobs  of  some  one  evidently  in 
distress;  he  accordingly  opened  the  door,  and,  on  en- 
tering, perceived  that  the  moans  proceeded  from  a 
young  female;  he  enquired  the  cause  of  her  mourning, 
on  which  she  wept  more  convulsively.  He  endeavored 
to  console,  and  soothingly  entreated  her  to  tell  the 
cause  of  her  sorrow,  with  assurance  that  he  would  do 
any  thing  in  his  power  to  relieve  her.  The  poor  girl 
pointed  to  a  rickctty  stair  way,  and  exclaimed,  "my 
father,  my  mother.''  Mr.  R.  immediately  ascended 
the  steps,  and  groping  his  way  through  a  dark  lobby. 


', 


I 


I  ^1 


■< 


II 


, 


*  ■ 

•^1 


t 

r* 

'<    ■ 

[^  ' 


'^ 'I.;:  ■ 


299 


MRS.  WAIT  S    LETTER,   FROM 


entered  a  garret,  in  a  corner  of  wliich  was  extended, 
on  a  miserable  pallet,  an  infirm  old  man,  apparently 
jn  the  last  stage  of  want  and  hunger;  in  his  hand  was 
clenched  a  hard,  brown  crust,  from  which  he  was 
vainly  endeavoring  to  extract  nourishment.  Mr.  R. 
spoke  kindly  to  him — the  large  tears  stood  in  the  sock- 
ets of  his  sudden  eyes,  as  he  motioned  to  his  side,  on 
his  own  wretched  couch,  where  Mr.  R.  discovered  the 
corpse  of  his  vvife,  who  had  died  the  day  before.  The 
|)ious  man  of  God  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  implored 
sustaining  strength  from  above,  to  bear  him  through 
the  appaling  scene,  from  which  he  arose  and  prepared 
to  remove  the  dead  from  the  side  of  the  still  living 
companion;  but  the  old  man  clung  to  the  lifeless  body 
of  his  wife,  with  all  his  remaining  strength,  while,  in 
accents  of  despair,  he  entreated  that  they  might  not 
!)c  separated,  as  he  must  soon  follow.  Mr.  R.,  howe- 
ver succeeded  in  this  sad  elTort  of  duty;  and  covering 
the  corpse  with  some  tattered  garments,  lying  in  the 
place,  hastened  to  procure  food,  to  resuscitate  the  sur- 
vivors, which,  he  administered  in  small  quantities,  that 
were  eagerly  seized  by  the  starving  father  and  child, 
lie  then  sought  the  proper  authorities  to  bury  the  dead, 
while  he  removed  the  old  man  to  a  hospital  at  his  own 
expense,  and  took  the  disconsolate  daughter  to  where 
she  might  be  provided  for  until  she  was  able  to  work. 
While  one  is  reflecting  upon  these  awful  and  soul- 
stirring  realities,  the  attention  is  arrested  by  the  fune- 
ral procession  of  the  wealthy,  which  passes  along  in 
slow  and  solemn  pomp — mace  bearers,  in  rich,  mour- 
ning  habiliments — a  hearse,  surmounted  with   sable 


%, 


■J^!-\ 


PONDER^S    END,    NEAR    LONDON. 


•291» 


cxtoncl(.>d, 
parcntly 

hand  was 
he  was 
Mr.    R. 

tlic  sock- 
s  side,  on 

vercd  the 
pre.    The 

implored 

through 

prepared 
ill  living 
less  body 
while,  in 
night  not 
^.,  howe- 
covering 
ng  in  the 
)  the  sur- 
ities,  that 
id  child, 
the  dead, 
;  his  own 
to  where 
to  work, 
tnd  soul- 
;he  fune- 
along  in 
\i,  mour- 
th   sable 


plumes — ^jct  black  hori 


red  with  velvet  palh 


;.stoons 


lie  grandeur    ol 


es,  coven 
while  tlieir  heads  arc  ornamented  wi 
bons  and  feathers,  all  displaying 
magnificent  wo — the  mind  shrinks  from  the  contem- 
plation of  those  extreme  and  painful  contrasjts  of  want 
and  extravagance,  and  retiring  within  itself,  1)ewails 
the  obvious  and  lamentable  cause. 

But  I  must  desist,  or  you  will  grow  weary  of  these 
melancholy  details,  and  be  ready  to  cry  mercy;  and, 
indeed,  I  can  sympathise  most  fully  in  your  feelings, 
as  it  has  cost  me  no  slight  degree  of  emotion,  to  rej)- 
rcsent,  faithfully,  occurrences  of  so  sad  and  touching 
a  nature. 

I  will  write  again  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  any 
communication  from  the  government,  relative  to  my 
application,  which  I  do  trust,  may  be  favorable;  and 
hope  soon  to  be  cheered  by  a  kind  letter  from  the 
Tyand  of  the  Free. 

Your's,  affectionately, 

M.  WAIT. 


LETTER  XIX. 


Ponder's  End,  near  London, 
Mcnj,  1840. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

Your  kind  letter  of  February,  came  duly  to  hand, 
and  I  am  most  happy  to  hear  of  the  welfare  of  my 
dear  child  and  friends.  I  wrote  you  in  my  last,  that 
I  intended  to  supplicate  an  act  of  mercy  on  the  mar- 


i 


ff 


/ 


'^0m^ 


i  "f  ri^lSri  (iijiitiLU'fiilHii'ilfiirTt  * . 


•iVr    :.  • 


■i 


'^a 


'■  J.. 


/> 


,.  ^'- 1"' 


J 


I.    I  ■>■ 


..    ^ 


300 


MRS.  wait's    letter,  FR03I 


riago  of  the  Queen,  which  I  did;  and  which  would, 
doubtless,  have  been  granted,  had  there  not  been  such 
a  multiplicity  of  similar  appeals,  that  it  precluded  the 
possibility  of  her  Majesty's  acting  in  any.  The  Char- 
tists, Frost  and  Williams,  have  been  tried  and  senten- 
ced to  death,  for  treason,  since  my  residence  here; 
and,  unfortunately  for  the  success  of  my  application, 
there  was  a  powerful  influence  exerted  for  them  on 
this  occasion.  The  lives  of  these  unfortunate  indi- 
viduals have  happily  been  spared,  and  they  are  now 
on  their  way  to  Van  Dieman's  Land,  to  expiate  the 
oflcnce  of  striving  to  obtain  bread  for  their  starving 
countrymen,  by  a  life  of  ignominious  servitude.  If  man 
would  not  resist  that  oppression,  which  compels  him 
to  suficr  the  pangs  of  unappcased  hunger,  pray  what 
would  induce  him  to  raise  his  arm  in  opposition  to  tyr- 
anny? 1  do  hope  that  the  horrid  corn  law  policy,  the 
pernicious  influence  of  which,  like  a  mephllical  sirocco^ 
blights  the  energies,  and  emaciates  the  frames  of  the 
laboring  classes  here;  may  be  speedily  repealed,  or 
abridged  in  some  manner,  even  should  it  be  hastened 
by  the  suicidal  eflx)rts  of  the  devoted  Chartists,  as  ruin 
is  the  inevitable  consequence  of  those  participations. 

I  have  received  a  letter  from  my  poor  enslaved  hus- 
band, dated  at  Hobarttown,  in  August,  informing  me 
of  the  most  torturing  sufferings  endured  on  the  passage 
out,  and  of  the  death  of  poor  McLeod  and  McNulty  in 
consequence.  He  was  himself  in  the  colonial  hospital, 
just  recovering  from  a  severe  illness.  They  were  trea- 
ted as  felons,  and  had  been  informed  that  they  were  to 
be  assigned  to  masters  in  the  country,  and  prevented 


i '! 


^\    . 


<  • 


■M 


rONDER's  END,  NEAR  LONDON. 


301 


Irom  holding  any  connmunication  with  each  other. 
This  was,  indeed,  most  cruel;  but  I  trust,  has,  'ere 
this,  been  remedied;  as  many  influential  letters  have 
gone  out  from  here  in  their  behalf,  since  my  arrival. 
If  they  are  not  immediately  released,  their  sutfering 
will  be  much  ameliorated;  and,  should  God  spare  their 
lives,  the  time  cannot  be  far  distant,  when  they  will 
be  restored  to  hnppy  liberty.  I  have  besieged  the  gov- 
ernment on  every  hand — have  had  the  best  of  influ- 
ence, which  1  think  must  eventually  prevail.  If  other- 
wise, I  will  endevor  to  reach  the  land  of  their  captivi 
ty  and  do  something  for  them  there,  though  1  must  leave 
my  dear  child  and  friends  in  America. 

Through  the  interest  of  dear  Mrs.  Reed,  and  some 
other  kind  ladies,  I  have  been  favored  m  an  interview 
with  the  Dowager,  Lady  Grey,  a  most  energetic  and 
benevolent  personage,  who  has  interested  many  of  her 
friends  in  my  case,  and  written  me  the  kind  notes  which 

follow. 

^^  {Saturday. 
"Dear  Mrs.  Wait: 

'*Ifinw  Lndy  Borhnm  yesterday,  and  learned  from  her,  that 
Lord  Normanby  had  spoken  most  kindly  on  the  subject  of  your 
affairs,  as  regarded  his  own  feelings,  for  your  painful  situation: 
she  expected  a  letter  from  hirp,  which  she  intended  to.  send  to 
you.  I  fear  nothing  is  likely  to  be  done  satisfactory  to  you  at 
present,  but  it  is  comfortable  for  you  to  know  that  a  kindly  feeling 
is  produced  by  yourelTorts.  I  will  write  to  Sir  J.  Franklin,  and  it 
has  just  occurred  to  me,  that  copies  of  those  handsome  testimoni- 
als to  Mr.  Wait's  character  and  former  conduct,  might  be  useful 
to  send  to  him.  If  }'ou  think  so,  will  you  forward  them  to  me?  I 
shall  be  careful  about  the  copy  you  pent  mo  of  Mr.  W'q  letters.  I 
return  Lady  B's  letter,  and  remain, 

"Very  sincerely,  your's, 

«*MARY  GREY.- 


^:\ 


S'. 


1^1 


-,»^? 


1 1 


f*' 

I., 
-'i 


.;■   ' 


1       ''.-^ 


:j():i 


MRS.  WAIT  S    LETTER    FUO.M 


*'Donr  Mrs.  Wnit: 
'4  think  you  hml  better  send  me  your  letters  and  tcstimoninlH. 

"Sincerely  your'e, 

"M.  G. 

"Ealon  Plnco,   Tuesday, 

"I  believe  Sir  K.  Pnrry  will  write  to  Sir  John  Frnnklin,  ubicli 
iH  bettor  tlinn  luy  writinir-" 

I  havo  alruady  coinj)liccl  with  her  Ladyship's  rc- 
ijucst,  availing  myself  of  the  influence  of  her  friend, 
the  celebrated  Sir  Ivhvard  Parry,  with  his  cotempora- 
ry  navigator,  Sir  John  Franklin,  who,  I  trust,  will  be 
induced  to  listen  to  the  numerous  intercessions  from 
this  country,  and  extend  a  corresponding  degree  oi" 
lenitv  to  my  husband,  and  the  other  American  exiles. 

I  have,  also,  had  interviews  with  the  Hon.  Charles 
[duller,  who  was  private  secretary  to  Lord  Durham, 
while  ill  Canada,  and  who  is  now  a  member  of  Parlia- 
ment hero,  as  well  as  general  Colonial  agent.  He  has 
written  nic  of  having  seen  both  Lord  Normanby  and 
Lord  John  Russel,  on  the  subject  .of  my  memorial — 
both  of  which  letters  I  will  here  transcribe,  as  you 
may  belter  undoi'stand  the  situation  of  the  case  by  a  pe- 
rusal of  them,  yourself. 

**12  Lower  Ealon  et., 

* 'Monday,  May  12,  1840. 
"Door  Madam: 

**I  was  lucky  enough  to  ece  Lord  John  Russel,  immediately  af- 
ter 1  left  you  on  Snturday.  Nothing  could  be  more  kind  than  hie 
conduct :  and  though  nothing  can  be  done  for  the  remission  of  your 
husband's  sentence,  until  after  the  settlement  of  the  question  of 
the  Union,  I  think  Ihore  are  great  hopes  that  when  that  great  work 
is  achieved,  and  tranquillity  completely  restored,  the  prisoners  may 
be  restored  to  their  country;  and,  I  think  that  Lord  John  Russel 
seems  disposed,  under  present  circumstances,  to  alleviate  their  suf- 
ferings, and  reduce  the  punishment  simply  to  that  of  exile.     He 


■  i. 


'■ft 


rONDER's    I:ND,   NKAR    LONDON. 


HOM 


iBlimoniQlfc". 

**M.  G. 

klin,  wbicli 

ship's  rc- 
31-  friond, 
otcmpora- 
3t,  will  be 
ions  from 
degree  of 
;an  exiles. 
1.  Charles 
Durham, 
of  Parlia- 
.     lie  has 
lanby  and 
emorial — 
)C,  as  you 
so  by  a  pe- 
rn Bt., 

12,  1840. 

mediately  af- 
kind  than  his 
issionofyour 
e  qneBtion  of 
at  great  work 
prisoners  may 
I  John  Russel 
iate  their  8uf- 
)f  exile.     He 


dcBircd  mc,  however,  to  writo  lo  him  on  the  subject.  This  T  hnvc 
done  this  morning,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  I  Ihiidi,  you 
will  hear  from  mc  again,  to  inform  you  of  Lord  John's  answer.  1 
trust  that  it  will  bo  such  as  to  give  you  some  consolation. 

Yours  very  faithfully, 

CHARLES  BULLEU,  Jr. 

•  «  *'12  Lower  Eaton  St., 

"Thursday,  May  31,  1840, 
'■Madam: 

"I  saw  Lord  Normanby  on  Saturtlay,  and  inquired  respecting  the 
possibility  of  a  remission  of  your  husband's  sentence.  I  am  eorry 
to  say  that  his  Lordship's  answer  was  as  I  had  anticipated,  tliat  it 
would  be  impossible  to  do  this  at  once.  I  am  happy,  however,  to 
be  able  to  assure  you,  that  his  tone  was  most  kind;  and  I  think  it 
very  probable,  that  advantage  will  be  taken  of  the  passing  of  the 
Union,  to  pardon  the  prisoners  comiJromised  for  political  distur 
iiances  in  Canada. 

"I  am.  Madam, 

*'Your'8  faithfully, 

CHA'S  BULLER,  Jr." 

I  remained  in  London  until  January,  when,  finding 
my  resources  nearly  exhausted,  and  my  health  sink- 
ing under  intense  anxiety,  and  the  efTects  of  a  depres- 
sive atmosphere,  I  was  almost  in  a  state  of  desponden- 
cy, and  scarce  knew  whither  to  turn;  but,  as  ever, 
succor  was  near.  My  assiduous  and  affectionate  friend, 
Mrs.  R.,  informed  me,  that  she  had  recently  visited  a 
friend  of  hers,  a  widow  lady,  a  few  miles  out  of  town, 
who  wanted  a  companion;  and  as  she  had  mentioned 
me  to  her,  she  hoped  we  would  enjoy  each  other's  so- 
ciety, which  I  looked  upon  as  especially  providential, 
and  most  joyfully  accompanied  Mrs.  R.,  to  her  friend, 
Mrs.  Ellis,  who,  I  have  found,  a  most  kind  and  hos- 
pitable  lady — a   humble   minded  follower  of  the  Sa- 


il 

I,' 


k 


301 


MRS.  WAIT  f<    r.FTTFIl,   FROM 


t. 


*!'-; 


•i 


•  I  .;r 


.  u 


i  )-^ ,-./  '.: 


-I- 


vior,  with  vvliom  I  have  been  very  comfortable.  She 
has  a  nice  little  retired  cottiig(j,  pretty  grounds,  and 
keeps  two  servants.  I  am  tbaidilul  to  say,  that  the 
wholesome  air,  and  «iui('t  of  the  country,  have  l)een 
conducive  of  benefit  to  my  health;  and  thougii  I  have 
but  little  means  left,  laith  still  whispers,  tiiat  "the  hand 
that's  held  me  hitherto,  will  lead  mc  all  'my  journey 
through;*'  and  that,  although  the  hand  of  tJod  is  heavy 
upon  me,  yet  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms; 
and  I  would  not,  my  dear  brother,  sulll'r  one  pang  less 
than  what  is  in  accordance  with  tlui  divine  will,  but  I 
would  profit  by  them,  and  admire  the  magnificence 
of  that  love  which  draws  rebellious  man  to  God,  even 
by  allliction.  May  IJe  sanctify  our  trials,  as  well  as 
our  mercies,  for  his  own  name's  sake  and  accept  us  in 
Christ,  the  Redeemer. 

I  am  in  tlie  city  nearly  every  week;  and  it  is  thought 
by  my  friends,  who  arc  disposed  to  favor  my  wishes 
of  joining  my  husband,  in  case  of  defeat,  that  a  passage 
may  be  procured  for  me  to  V.  D.  L.  should  I  not  receive 
more  favourable  communications  from  the  government 
in  the  course  of  a  month  or  two,  which  determination 
has  been  rather  conlirmed  by  the  receipt  of  Lady  Bar- 
ham's  letter  as  tollows. 

Cnvendieli  Sciuaic,  VVccIncedny. 

"Madam: 

*'I  nm  very  sorry  that  so  long  a  lime  ^lioukl  bnve  clapGod  with- 
out answering  your  letter,  and  more  pnrlicuUirly  so,  as  1  am  una- 
ble to  raise  your  hopes,  or  to  alleviate  your  present  distress. 

"Lord  Normanby  regrets,  deeply,  that  his  sense  of  public  duty 
will  not  permit  of  his  advising  the  Queen  to  comply  with  your  re- 
quest, as  he  conceives  Mr.  Wait  was  very  seriously  implicated,  at 


'^r 


''■.j^> 


PONUKR  H    K\D,   NKAR    LONDON. 


:U)."> 


l»lo.  She 
iinds,  and 
that  the 

i;ivc  bron 
gh  I    havo 

*Mhc  hand 
y  journey 

1  is  licavy 

ing  arms; 
o  pang  loss 
will,  but  I 
uniiliconcc 
Clod,  even 
as  well  as 
cccpt  us  in 

t  is  thought 
my  wishes 
Lt  a  passage 
not  receive 
government 
ermination 
Lady  Bar- 

i'cdncsdny. 

olapeed  witli- 
as  I  nin  iina- 

liBtross. 

f  public  duty 
with  your  ro- 
mplicntcd,  nt 


the  Nmo  of  Ihe  rebellion.  Any  future  viiliiiation  ol*  Mr.  VVnit'H 
«<'ntenc'(.',  rmiHt  be  Inkeii  in  connexion  with  tbnlot'hiH  CDiiipnnionH 
111  banipbincnt;  wince  it  in  J^ord  N'h  opinion,  Ihfil  it  nvouM  be  un- 
just to  them  to  mnke  nny  exception,  and  Ibnt  only  on  privnfe 
j,'roiind«.  But  Lord  Norninnby  Hecinn  to  iuiply,  tbat  Mr.  Wnit'w 
own  coiuluct  for  lb(>  futiife,  nnd  the  continiinnrc  of  (rMiiipiilMty  in 
C/Onmln,  mny  bcrcnfter  furninb  a  plea  for  mercy  in  bin  bcbalf. 

'*[  need  bardly  my  bow  niucb  ibo  (iuccn  ret^relH  bur  inaltiiity, 
under  tbe:«e  eireimiHtances,  lo  rtMuovo  tbe  eaune  of  your  (bsire«H, 
atul  bow  niucb  I  feel  at  being  obli^'eil  (o  coniinunicato  it  to  you. 
I'ndcr  (liis  trying  allliction,  it  will  be  ncoiiHolation  to  you  lo  feci, 
dear  madam,  timf  m(»ro  will  not  be  laid  u])on  you  bi're,  than  i^^ 
right  nnd  good  for  you;  and  Ibnt  Ho  who  nlllicts,  in  to;/  wi-fc  U> 
nrr,  nnd  tuo  good  to  be  nnhind;  and  tbat  every  wavo  bore,  tosso 
you  tbe  nearer  lo  tbe  bnviMi. 

"I  have  tbu  honor,   madam,   wilb  every  feeling  of  h,  mpniliy. 
to  be  "Your'a,  very  truly, 

«'F.  BAllUAM." 

I  have  now  the  prospcGtof  a  six  months  voyage  ui 
sea,  which,  indeed,  is  nothing  in  comparison  to  the 
agonizing  thought  ol'  a  continued  separation  tVom  my 
child,  who  must  thus  be  deprived  of  a  mother's  ctire, 
and  the  severing  of  the  tendercst  ties  of  natural  allcc- 
tion.  I  dare  not  dwell  on  this  })ainful  and  enervating 
subject,  but  will  endeavor  to  submit  all  to  the  gui- 
dance and  direction  of  a  merciful  and  otnniscient  God, 
who  does  all  things  well,  and  knows  the  end  from  the 
beginning.  I  am,  with  the  assistance  of  kind  and  ^qim^-  ■ 
rous  friendship,  making  some  preparation  for  the  pas- 
sage; and  shall,  in  all  probability,  if  nothing  more- 
favorable  occurs,  be  on  the  ocean  in  July,  bound  for 
Australia. 

It  would  be  superfluous  for  me  to  say  anything  rel- 
ative to  the  great  National  event,  on  the  lOlh  February, 
20 


{< 


I 


t-iiL'foiu.ajaitumtJL'-^'M.ti.'.m  ~  .•<'t^.. 


■    , 


^  ■•;. 


I  ■■■'^ 


41A':^ 


i-^fr 


■i  ■'  ■•. 


'  '-■■(;. 


4|.r,;>:f:'., 


1'; 


V'-  '■ 
4-  • 


;M;fi 


Miis.   wait's   lkttkr,  from 


as  you  have,  doubtless,  already  bad  the  most  minute 
particulars  laid  before  you,  through  the  world's  medi- 
um of  intelligence.  You  have  been  told  of  the  mag- 
nificent and  splendid  fitting  up  of  palaces,  and  the  roy- 
al chapel,  where  the  marriage  was  solemnized,  with 
0  degree  of  pomp  far  transcending  any  thing  of  the  day 
— the  triumphal  arches  composed  of  wreaths  of  ever- 
greens and  fragrant  blossoms,  through  which  the  happy 
pair  and  their  retinue  passed,  on  their  way  to  Wind- 
sor castle — how  they  were  greeted  by  joyful  multitudes, 
upon  whom  they  condescended  to  smile  complacentlyy 
and  to  whom  they  were  occasionally,  even  pleased 
to  bow — the  illumination  of  cities — peals  of  artillery — 
ringing  of  church  bells,  and  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  pounds  expended  on  the  occasion — the  royal  bride's 
apparel  alone,  consuming  some  thousands  of  the  same: 
and,  indeed,  you  have  lieard  the  whole.  I  did  not  go 
up  to  London,  and  can  truly  say,  1  have  but  little  cu- 
riosity to  witness  the  pageantry  and  trappings  of  roy- 
alty, the  sad  concomitants  of  which  are  enough  to 
behold.  But  I  have  had  some  delightful  rambles 
through  nature's  exquisite  beauties,  in  which  there  is 
no  alloy,  and  have  enjoyed  the  luxurious  sight  of  green 
iields  and  romantic  hills,  which  present  a  perfect  pic- 
ture of  rural  loveliness.  Tlow  sweet  and  fresh  is  the 
bracing  air  of  the  country,  compared  to  the  condensed 
atmosphere  of  crowded  cities.  The  fields  are  now  rich 
with  primroses,  daises,  cowslips  and  buttercups;  here 
the  atmosphere  is  fragrant  with  the  odour  of  the  black 
thorn,  and  the  sweet  may  hedges,  which  so  univor- 
luilly  adorn  this  country.    I  have  welcomed  the  delicate 


■m 


« . 


viiv':^ 


rONDEPt  S    END,    MEAIl    LO-NDON. 


307 


ost  minute 
rlcl's  mcdi- 
thc  inag- 
kI  the  roy- 
"lized,   witli 
of  til 0  dii}- 
s  of  ever- 
1  the  happy 
y  to  \\^ind" 
multitudesj 
mphiccntlyy 
^cn  pleased 
'  artillery — 
f  thousands 
oyal  bride's 
)f  the  same: 
did  not  go 
)Ut  little  cu- 
ings  of  roy- 
)  enough  to 
ul    rambles 
ch  there  is 
ght  of  green 
perfect  pie- 
fresh  is  the 
!  condensed 
re  now  rich 
rcups;  here 
3f  the  black 
so  univer- 
the  delicate 


snow-drop,  the  crocus,  the  variegated  polyanthus,  and 
the  ever  valued  smile  of  the  violet,  at  a  season  when 
our  fields  are  still  lying  under  the  pressure  of  snow- 
hanks,  and  vegetation  has  not  yet  merged  through  the 
frozen  surface;  indeed  I  have  drank  in  the  beauties  of 
this  early  spring,  wilh  a  d'.gree  of  ecstacy  only  to  bo 
accounted  for  by  tiie  vivifying  iniluenco  of  such  glad- 
dening scenes  upon  the  weary  and  afilicted  spirit. 

My  kind  hostess,  .Mrs.  E.,  has  taken  me  to  Berry 
farm,  the  residence  of  her  son,  a  few  miles  distant; 
there  were  burrows  and  warrens  of  hare  and  rabbits, 
which  afford  rich  repasts  to  the  hospitable  owner  and 
his  guests;  there,  also,  were  some  ancient  trees,  in 
which  the  rooks  nostle  and  caw,  all  serving  to  remind 
one  of  the  poetic  strains  of  the  English  bards.  I  vis- 
ited the  estate  of  another  gentleman  in  this  vicinity,  a 
few  days  since,  in  company  with  a  friend,  and  enjoyed 
the  rich  treat  of  walking  through  the  most  tastefully 
laid  out  grounds  that  1  have  yet  seen.  The  variega- 
ted and  enamelled  ivy,  with  the  lovely  convolvulus, 
were  twining  round  tlie  tendrils  of  the  blooming  thorn; 
hyacinths  were  sending  abroad  tlieir  rich  perfume; 
and  while  passing  down  the  smooth  gravel  walks,  we 
were  greeted  with  a  profusion  of  flowers  and  shrubbery 
of  almost  every  variety  of  the  season — many  of  which 
are  extravagantly  fine — there,  too,  were  artificial  lakes, 
in  which  the  gold  fish  sported  in  graceful  freedom,  dis- 
j)laying  the  most  delicate  carmine  and  silver  hues,  as 
he  catches  the  rays  of  the  sun  in  approaching  the 
surface,  while  making  his  circuit  round  the  gush- 
ing fountain   in  the  center   of  his  watery  domain — 


ii 

f 

m 


I  ♦  ■  ; 

h 


■--:r-- 


■i'i^i^^tbmM»i»iat.,is^Mii\,^^..-fi^^.;,^,. 


308 


MRS.  wait's    letter,   FROM 


I 


ii 


1 '{ ■ 


jf!  -i  ■-i.j- 
.i'  1 :  J 


i;f 


■■'■|  ,.'■ 


■J  •.'■I-     ■    4; 


•."ilif^- .:-■'■ 


.!     )       ''I        '? 


.    ■       >f;:  '■ 


bowers  invite  you  to  rest  under  their  fragrant  shade,  of 
clematis  and  honeysuckle,  from  which  retreat  you  may 
observe  the  sweet  economists  of  nature,  extracting  the 
nectareous  load  from  the  surrounding  blossoms,  and 
depositing  the  same  in  the  cells  of  a  glass  hive,  whose 
transparency  enables  you  to  watch  their  industrious 
labors.  The  hearl's-ease,  so  little  noticed  with  us,  is  here 
cultivated  with  great  care  and  attention,  and  is  most  ex- 
quisitely beautiful,  being  nearly  three  limes  as  large  as 
any  I  have  seen  in  America.    1  have  been  shown  some 
line  specimens  of  the  dahlia,  which  is  also  reared  with 
success,  in  this  country.  Nothing  can  exceed  the  order, 
taste,  and  splendor  of  the  domains  of  the  rich;  could 
one  but  live  amid  these  fairy  scenes,  and  not  meet  the 
opposite  extreme  at  every  turn,  England,  with    her 
delightsome  pleasure  gardens,  her  refined  and  polished 
society,  and  her  high  state  of  domestic  economy,  ease 
and  comfort,  would  indeed,  be  an  enrapturing  para- 
dise.    But  wo  sits  upon  the  pallid  features  of  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  poverty,  who  are,  by  far,  the  most 
numerous  class,  and  in  whose  countenances,  want  is 
written  in  characters  too  legible  to  be  mistaken;  this 
foul    blemish  not  only  darkens  the  glorious  picture, 
but  literallv  obscures  it;  and  the  American  turns  from 
the  scene  with  disgust,  otfcring  his  grateful  tribute  to 
God,  that  the  fair  genius  of  freedom,  reigns  in  his  na- 
tive land,  dispensing  the  rich  blessings  of  equal  rights, 
with  civil,  and  religious  liberty. 

Here  all  must  pay  the  odious  church  rates;  no  mat- 
ter what  his  religious  creed  may  bp,  he  is  obliged  to 
support  the  dignitaries  of  the  establishment,  who  are 


ifcyi-  ^ 


\:,-y 


'•  .'I  ■ 


•ll'r 


nt  shade,  of 
at  you  may 
I'acting  the 
)ssoms,  and 
live,  whose 
ndustrious 
1  us,  is  here 
is  most  ex- 
as  large  as 
shown  some 
reared  witli 
d  the  order, 
rich;  could 
lot  meet  the 
I,  with    her 
md  polished 
)nomy,  ease 
uring  para- 
of  the  sons 
r,  the  most 
cs,   want  is 
5taken;  this 
)us  picture, 
turns  from 
ul  tribute  to 
s  in  his  na- 
qual  rights, 

3s;  no  mat- 
5  obliged  to 
It,  who  are 


PONDKR's    end,   near    LONDON. 


;^09 


pampered  and  clotlied  in  purple,  almost  by  the  life's 
])loodortho  poor,  as  the  last  farthing  is  seized  upon 
by  this  rapacious  hierarchy,  whoso  kingdom,  forsooth, 
is  not  of  this  world,  (query,  whore  is  it?)  while  the 
poor  children  they  rob,  are  famishing  for  bread. 

If  the  conscientious  dissenter  refuses  to  pay  this  un- 
just tax,  he  is  immediately  cited  to  appear  before  an 
ecclesiastical  court;  does  he  not  then  compromise  the 
matter,  he  is  torn  from  his  family  and  thrust  into  a 
locithsome  prison,  from  v/hich  there  is  no  return,  but 
in  that  sacrifice  of  christian  principle;  which  liquidates 
the  iniquitous  charge.     There  is  an  instance  of  noble 
resistance  to  this  legal  oppression,  in  the  case  of  John 
Thorogood,  a  poor  shoo  maker,  of  Chelmsford,  who 
has  lain  in  jail  eighteen  months,  in  consequence    of 
adhering  to  the  praise-worthy  resolution   of  suffering 
the  penalty  of  non-compliance.    Would  to  God  there 
were  more  John  Thorogoods  among  the  great  body  of 
{Jissonters  in  this  country.     If  they  would  but  follow 
this  glorious  example,   "e?i  wassse,^^  how  soon  would 
they  triumph,  and  the  evil  be  removed.    I  have  seen  it 
stated  in  the  papers,  that,  although  his  health  is  decli- 
ning, in  consequence  of  his  long  confinement,   he  is 
still  unmoved,  and  will  die  a  martyr  in  the  cause,  ra- 
ther than  yield  the  right  of  conscience  and  christian 
equity,  by  paying  five  shillings  and  six  pence  to  the 
scourge  of  his  country.     Petitions  in  his  behalf,  and 
protests  against  the  right  of  detention,  are  being  sent 
in  scores   to  the  house  of  Parliament;  and  although 
it    is    almost    daily    acting    in    the    matter,    I    fear 
there   will  nothing  salutary  be  effected;   for,  should 


!,'j;  I 


vf 


ilj  .  !l 


Jlli 


«*<£.■* 


■  >  '■'i.filUkie&ibtltih.i.iA  1 


f      '- 


■Jo:  . 


!    lif 


l'',r'; 


•i.r:;.j 


310 


MRS.     WAITS     LETTER, 


they  emancipate  the  non-adherents  to  the  church  of 
state,  from  this  burden,  it  would  greatly  lessen  its  re- 
venue; and,  consequently,  in  a  measure,  sap  the  foun- 
dation of  the  aristocracy;  and  England^s  proud  nobler; 
must  roll  in  voluptuous  splendor,  though  the  means  be 
wrested  from  the  shrinking  vitals  of  the  poor. 

I  must  not  forget  to  toll  you,  that  P(Mi(ler's  P^nd  if 
near  Kdmonton,  and  that  I   frequently  travel  the  road 
which  the  famous  John  Gilpin  came  in  such  alarming 
haste,    on  the  anniverssiry  of  his  wedding  day;  yes, 
and  as  I  have  passed  the  sign  of  the  celebrated  Bell  of 
Edmonton,  where  poor  j\Irs.   (lilpiii  waited  her  smo- 
king dinner,  in  anxious  expectation  of  the  arrival  of 
her  unfortunate  spouse,  vv'ho  was,   in  the  mean  time, 
making  his  grand  entro  to  Ware.    I  have  lauglicd  out- 
right at  the  thought  of  being  on  the  scene  of  this  mar- 
vellous adventure,  so  facetiously  described  by  Cowper. 
But  1  shall  leave  the  sweet  air  of  the  country  in  a  few 
days,  and  return  to  town,  wliere  I  will  remain  imtil  T 
sail;  and  as  this  is  the  month  in  which  the  various 
christian  and  benevolent  societies  hohl  their  anniver- 
sary meetings  in  London,  I  will  not  close  this  letter, 
until  I  have  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  this  great 
concentration  of  talent  and  philanthropy. 

From  London. 

I  have  attended  the  meeting  of  the  liondon  Mission- 
ary society,  in  the  spacious  Exeter  Hall,  which  seats, 
I  am  told,  six  thousand  persons — it  was  well  filled  on 
this  occasion.  Sir  George  Grey,  the  honorable  son 
of  the  Lady  Dowager,  whom  I  have  mentioned,  took 
the  chair,  and  opened  the  meeting  with  an  eloquent 


■  -"H 

■  m. 


FHO.M    LONDON'. 


311 


church  ol' 

sson  its  rc- 

p  tho  foun- 

|i*oud  nobles 

G  ITK^'XJIS  be 

or. 

cr's  End  is 
cl  tlio  roud 
li  alMrmiiitr 
dny;  yc8, 
alod  J^oll  of 
d  her  smo- 
arrival  of 
mean  time, 
anglicd  out- 
jf  this  mar- 
by  Cow  per. 
ly  in  a  tew 
nain  imtil  T 
the  various 
?ir  annivor- 
this  letter, 
this  great 

London, 
m  Mission" 
hich  seats, 
I  filled  on 
orable  son 
oned,  took 
1  eloquent 


'ind  appropriate  athh'osr^,  v/hich  was  peculiarly  aricct- 
,*ng  when  ho  mentioiici]  tlio  melancholy  death  ot'  the 
lamented  Polynesian  missionary  and  martyr,  the  Rev. 
fohn  Williams,  tho  tidings  of  whose  murder,  by  the 
;iativos  of  Eromanga,  one  of  the  Nov/  IJebrido  islands, 
has  but  recently  reached  this  country.  This  devoted 
and  energetic  servant  of  God,  had  visited  nearly  all 
;lic  South  Sea  islands,  and  planted  the  standard  of  the 


dth 


iderful 


but 


had 


success;  nut  no  naa  now 
fallen  by  tho  hands  of  those  to  whom  he  was  present- 
ing the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  ''This  was,  indeed, 
a  cause  for  mourning;  but  the  gospel  v>ould  triumph, 
and  the  sad  event  which  was  so  deeply  deplored,  might 
yet  bo  the  means,  in  the  hands  of  God,  of  carrying 
conviction  to  the  hearts  of  the  Cannibals."  The  re- 
port of  the  society  followed;  and  as  one  speaker  closed 
another  took  the  floor,  until  eloquence  literally  flowed 
t'rom  the  platform,  while  the  most  touching  detail^' 
were  given  by  missionaries,  who  had  spent  years  in 
laboring  to  bring  the  life  and  immortality  of  tiie  gospel 
to  the  hearts  of  the  perishing  heathen.  They  were  there 
from  all  portions  of  tho  globe,  and  had  returned  to  tell 
the  triumphs  of  Jesus,  and  rest,  for  a  time,  from  their 
arduous  duties,  under  burning  meridians,  desolating 
simooms,  and  electrical  camsins.  Among  these  were 
the  celebrated  Richard  Knill,  Moffat,  from  the  South 
ofx\frica,  Micaiah  Hill,  from  India,  and  numbers  of 
others. 

Our  hearts  were  indeed  made  glad  with  the  exhila- 
rating news  of  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
f\o\y\.     A  number  of  pious  clergy  and  missionaries  of 


ll'K 


!l 


I 


,i! 


ms 


!  i' 


* 


:U-2 


>.-, 


tH 


)1, 


I 


;;a 


II 


\-i-^ii 


I  ,i ' 


i;7..". 


\»-7 


-;;■  iiii. 


..i;,-H-^'f«:v' 


'^1  li»  ,    ■  ;;'■ 

:  1 


.'  * 


■Vl- 

i' 

^1 

1'  -!  . 

■  ^  ■ 

? 

4- 
f.-' 

MRS.    >^  A  it's    letter, 


the  Church  of  England,  lent  their  abilities  on  tliis  oc- 
casion also.*  And  here,  too,  John  Angel  James,  of 
Birmingham,  rose  in  his  power,  and  made  an  appeal 
to  the  liearts  of  his  auditors,  which  was  loudly  respon- 
ded to;  and  oh,  with  what  pathos  did  he  dwell  on  the 
appalling  death  of  his  brother  Williains,  and  quote  the 
sublime  and  appropriate  lamentations  of  David,  "how 
are  the  mighty  fallen  in  tlie  midst  of  the  battle.  O 
Jonathan,  thou  wast  slain  in  thine  high  places.  I  am 
distressed  for  thee,  my  brother  Jonathan;  very  pleas- 
ant hast  thou  been;  thy  love  was  wonderful."  "Yen, 
how  are  the  mighty  fallen.  Thou  hast  fallen,  my 
l)rothor  John,  but  ii;  is  to  rise  in  triumphant  glory,  and 
cast  thy  bright  crown  at  the  feet  of  I'iinaiiucl."  Thus-, 
my  dear  T.,  hours  were  consumed,  which  seemed  but 
as  many  moments,  while  enjoying  the  luxury  of  this; 
intellectual  feast,  and  the  business  of  the  meeting  closed. 


'^The  Rev.  M.  Hill  linel  beerr  a  miBsioiiary  to  Bcngnl,  ond  labor- 
I'll  in  India  for  sixlocii  yearp.  lio  mosl  fearlcsaiy  exjioscd  Ibc  ini- 
•  juitous  practices  of  Iho  East  India  Company,  who  form  1hc 
government  in  India,  which  not  only  enslaves  llie  nativciH,  and  re- 
duces them  to  the  necessity  of  selling  their  children  for  bread,  but 
legalizes  taxation  for  the  support  of  heathen  tcnii)les,  Juggernaut 
not  excepted,  tor  the  ])uni08e  of  strengthening  British  rule — that, 
in  many  mstanccs,  had  the  company  been  known  to  colleague  with 
the  idolaters,  in  suppressing  and  undermining  the  influence  of  the 
devoted  missionaries  of  Christ;  and  he  deplored,  most  deeply, 
the  injurious  eifccts  on  their  operations — of  the  connexion  which 
still  existed;  also,  did  he  "regret  that  the  new  penal  code,  fra- 
med by  the  Indian  law  commissioners,  would,  in  his  opinion,  fine, 
imprison,  and  banish  from  the  country,  the  missionaries  who  had 
been  sent  forth  to  evangelize  idolatrous  India;  and  further,  that 
this  code  would  tolerate  poligr.hi}  the  immoral  consequences  of 
which  were  painfully  visible  ihroughout  that  entire  wretched 
country,  by  the  vast  number  of  Anglo  Indians,  which  is  said  io 
comprise  many  more  than  fifty  thousand  persons  at  this  period/'' 


fti 


FROM    LONDON. 


013 


)ii  til  is  oc- 

James,  of 

an  appeal 

1  y  I'cspon- 

voll  on  the 

quote  tho 

vid,  "how 

attlo.     (j 

OS.     I  am 

■cry  picas- 

"     *'Yca, 

alien,    my 

'^lory,  and 

1.''    Thn.s, 

cemed  but 

ry  of  this: 

ing  closed, 


il,  and  labor- 
loecd  tlic  ini- 
lio  form  Ihc 
ivee,  and  ro- 
n-  bread,  but 
Jnifiiemant 
1  rule — tbatj 
•llcaguc  with 
luence  of tbc 
nobl  deeply, 
:!Xion  which 
inl  code,  fra- 
pinion,  line, 
ies  who  had 
urlher,  that 
^equencefi  of 
re  wretched 
;h  is  said  to 
is  period,'^ 


. 


i 


1  have  attended  a  number  of  similar  meetings  of  a 
domestic,  as  well  as  foreign  nature;  and  regret  much, 
my  inability  to  give  you  the  details  by  letter,  as  it  is 
most  cheering  to  fco  the  extent  of  the  benevolent  and 
christian  exertions  here,  where  thi>y  iire  so  much  re- 
quired.     Would  that  tiio}''  might  reach  every  suflerer. 
but  they  still  come  far  sliort  of  the  actup.l  need;  and 
notliing  can  radicall}^  elTect  their  benefit,  but  a  more 
merciful  and  liberal  policy  of  govcrnmcnl,   which,  1 
fear,  will  not  be  pursued,  until  tiie  just  vengeance  of 
heaven  is  visited  upon  the  oppressors  of  the  poor.  Jlut 
you   must   know,  that  the  world's  great  convention, 
on  the  rights  of  man,  is  now  sitting  in  London,   to 
which  delegates  from  every  quarter,   have  congrega- 
ted, in  happy  union,  on  the  subject  of  emancipation  to 
the  slave.     Some  of  the  fair  and   benevolent  ladies  of 
America,  are  here,  as  delegates^  too,   and  claim  the 
right  of  a  seat  at  the  convention,  vv'ith  an  opportunity 
of  public  discussion  of  tho  merits  of  their  philanthropic 
cause.     This  being  contrary  to  the  custom  and  usage 
of  this  nation,  has  not  been  conceded  to  them;  conse- 
quently these  talented  ladies  have  not  been  heard.     It 
was  in  vain  they  plead  the  rights  of  women;  likewise 
in  vain  that  their  able  advocate,   George  Thompson, 
defended  them,  and  appealed  to  the  convention  in  be- 
half of  "the  Spartan  band  of  women,  who  stood  be- 
tween him  and  death,  while  in  America.''     In    vain 
that  Dr.  Bowering  "blushed  at  the  ungallant  manner 
in  which  the  magnanimous  and  philanthropic  ladies  of 
America  were  treated,  by  Englishmen,  who  sung  ho- 
zannas  to  their  sovereign  Queen."  The  fearless  daugh- 


1'^ 


W'i 


I 


li 


it 


:?;■< 


1  • '. 


-  "t- VIA 


ft!- 

•■I: 


r 


m  ■■ 


i  'I- 


i' 


^JN 


-"•  %  '-'  •"•,  i '  ■ 


311 


MRS.    wait's    letter, 


ters  of  America,  who  wovo  so  deservedly  compared  to 
tho  brave  Lacedaemonian  women,  were  doomed  to  si- 
lence, while  the  business  of  the  convention  proceeded 
in  Freemason's  ITall. 

I  regret  th:it  I  have  not  been  al)Ie  to  attend  these 
meetings  n^orc   frcquonlly;  but  I  do  liopo  to  enjoy  the 
last,   wbicb   will  take  plac;^  at    Exeter  Hall,    and    at 
wliich  th(i  Dnke  of  Sussex  is  expected  to  preside.     J 
have,    however,  attended  one,   which  was  somewhat 
diilbrent,  though  an  an ti- slavery  association,  viz.,  the 
African    Colonization    Societv.       Prince    Albert   was 
here  announced,  amid  the  deafening  peals  of  tho  mam- 
moth organ,  in  tho  grand  FiXetor  Hall,  and  the  noisy 
greetings  of  tho  vast  concourse  of  people  who  welcom- 
ed him,  on  his  first  appearance  before  thorn;  to  wliich 
the  youthful  and  amiable  looking  Prince  bowed  most 
grnccfuUy,  as  ho  took  the  chair;  after  which  he  open- 
ed the   mer.'ling,    by    a  short,    but    prettily    delivored 
speech,  in  which  ho  expressed  his  hap[)iness  in  com- 
plying with  the  wishes  of  so  respectable  a  portion  of 
her  iMajcsty's  subjects,  by  lending  his  aid  in  a  cause 
fraught  with  so  much  benevolence  and  humanity;  and 
which,  he  assured  tho  meeting,  mot  with  the  full  con- 
currence of  her  Majesty,   "our  beloved  Queen."     Ho 
resumed  the  chair,  while  the  most  enthusiastic  cheers 
rung  through  the  hall.     Then  came  forward  the  well 
known  philanthropist,   Buxton,  who  met  with  a  warm 
reception,  and  who  delivered  an  able  address,  in  which 
he  recounted  many  a  hard  contest,  and  many  an  ob- 
stacle which  he  had  been  enabled  to  surmount,  bv  de- 
voted  perseverance  in  his  benevolent  course;  and,  said 


m  ■• 


FROM    LONDON. 


:U5 


he,  *'I  now,  wiili  no  ordinary  degree  of  gralitudc,  hail 
this  auspicious  day,  as  earnest  of  tlic  uUimate  con- 
summation of  the  great  enterprise  of  my  life.''  The 
report  was  then  road;  afler  which  a  succession  of  ele- 
gant speeches  followed,  from  Lords,  Lords  Bishops, 
Sirs,  Right  Ilonorablcs,  &c.;  for  bo  it  known  unto  you, 
that  the  aristocracy  were  indeed  there.  Tiie  noble 
Prince  would  be  obliged  to  vacate  the  chair  at  two 
o'clock;  accordingly.  Sir  Robert  Peel  was  an[)ointed 
to  return  the  thanks  of  the  mooting  to  the  royal  chair- 
man, which  he  did  with  no  slight  degree  of  elo- 
quence, an  in  a  beautifully  turned  compliment,  styled 
him  the  "right  arm  of  tlio  throne;"  at  the  close  of 
which,  the  clicering  was  unbounded,  while  the  Prince, 
bowing  gracefully,  loft  the  hall,  escorted  by  his  suite. 

T  think  that  the  most  pointed  and  truly  eloquent 
speech  I  heard  at  this  meeting,  was  delivered  by  Arch- 
Deacon  Wilberforce,  who  seemed  to  drink  deeply  into 
the  spirit  of  benevolence,  which  was  so  eminently 
manifested  by  his  late  noble-minded  sire — the  indefat- 
igable advocate  of  human  rights  in  this  country,  who 
has  gone  to  reap  the  rich  reward  of  his  philanthropic 
labors,  which  havG  been  instrumental  in  striking  the 
fetters  from  thousands;  though  I  am  not,  my  dear 
brother,  insensible  to  the  fact,  that  the  twenty  millions 
paid  to  the  West  India  slave  owners,  are  wrung,  by 
taxes,  from  the  scanty  earnings  of  those  in  this  coun- 
try who  are  little  less  slaves  than  the  blacks,  and 
whose  previous  burdens  were  almost  beyond  human  en- 
durance; yet  I  thank  God,  that  even  a  portion  iiavo 
been  emancipated.     When,  oh  when,  will  the  demon^ 


■ 

i  w 

i    ' 

<   i 

hi''  '*l 
it  '  ' 

f 


m- 


■    ,f 
'     V  i' 


t 


\  I-TV' 


...•i'-i^.'-^ 


i'    h 


■1,. 

i  -J. 


■    "I 


P. 


31(j 


MRS.   wait's    LEITKR 


slavc/'i/^  bo  haiiishod  from  this  lovely  HJol-.stool  of  the 
Almighty?  ('unit  ho  until  tlu;  savior  r(Mgns  triuni|»hant? 
1  fear  not;  but  still,  wo  may  hope  for  the  aj)proach  of 
that  happy  era.  The  early  friends  of  the  oppressed 
African  had  nuich  to  contend  with;  hut  they  were  a 
brave  and  holy  nucleus,  round  whom  a  mighty  and 
formidable  army  has  since  gatlnu'cd;  and  which  now 
forms  a  phalanx  that  will,  with  Divine  assistance, 
press  forward,  from  conr|uering  to  conquer,  until 
glorious  victory  is  theirs.  Mmv  dear  America  soon 
lave  in  the  fountain  of  innocence,  and  be  cleansed  from 
the  stain  of  her  brothers'  suilerinf*'s  and  Idood,  which 
call  mightily  to  heaven  for  justice,  and  thus  wipe 
a  way  the  only  bh^mish  on  lier  beautilul  features. 
T/ie7i  will  a  halo  of  untarnished  glory  wave  on  her 
banner,  and  claim  the  unlimited  applause  of  an  ad- 
miring world;  and  then  shall  wo  no  more  bo  told  by 
Briton^Hjrab'iddiii  aristocrats,  ihat  ''American //^er/j/ 
is  a  vwckcry-,'"  and  that  ^'' American  slavcrij  is  the  great- 
est anoma/jj  in  the  history  of  civili-^cd  nations.'^ 

But  I  must  proceed,  and,  if  possible,  give  you  an 
idea  of  the  conckiding  meeting  of  this  convention.  Wc 
reached  tlie  hall  at  an  early  hour,  as  this  was  the  only 
security  for  obtaining  a  seat;  the  excitement  was  so 
general,  and  the  publication  of  the  former  convention- 
al speeches,  having  brought  hundreds,  who  would,  per- 
haps, have  not  come  otherwise.  The  hall  was  soon 
crammed,  and  numbers  went  away,  unable  to  enter. 
We  waited,  with  anxiety,  the  opening  of  this  illustri- 
ous meeting.  The  organ,  however,  again  peeled  forth 
its   grand  intonations,   and   his  royal   highness,   the 


Wr 


PR     M    LOND     V. 


31 


jol  of  the 

inipliant? 

broach  of 
Depressed 
wore  a 
|ghty  and 

Inch  now 
Issistancc, 
p',  until 
ric.i  soon 
nsed  fi'oin 
od,  whicli 
hus    wipe 

features. 
'0  on  her 
of  an  ad- 
)c  told  b}' 
iiin  liberty 
the  greal- 

c  you  an 
ition.  Wc 
3  the  only 
It  was  so 
•nvcntion- 
ould,  per- 
was  soon 
to  enter. 
s  illustri- 
3led  forth 
ness,   the 


Duke  of  Sussex,  made  his  most  graci  iS  appr*  ranee, 
while  the  lungs  of  the  congrcgalcd  '•  s,  s«'<i  d  vis- 
ing with  tho  music,  in  giving  him  a  wi  .  orih  recep- 
tion. The  French  Ambassador  was  seated  at  the  right 
of  the  chair.  The  much  admired  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land entered,  on  the  arm  of  Mrs.  Fry,  who  escorted 
her,  both  taking  scats  at  the  right  of  Monsieur  Guizot; 
after  which  came  the  American  delegation  of  gentle- 
men, while  the  American  ladies,  with  many  of  the  ti- 
tled females  of  England,  occupied  scats  in  an  elevated 
wing  of  the  platform;  but  at  the  left  of  the  chair  sat 
the  venerable  Thomas  Clarkson,  whose  head  was  rich 
with  the  silver  locks  won  in  his  glorious  campaign  of 
more  than  fifty  years  in  the  cause  of  humanity.  Near 
him  was  his  widowed  daughter-in-law,  and  his  only 
grand  child,  a  line  boy,  nine  years  old,  who  was  pre- 
sented to  the  royal  chairman,  as  an  offering  to  the  sa- 
cred cause  of  liberty.  The  Duke  })laced  his  hand  up- 
on the  youthful  brow,  breathed  forth  a  blessing,  and 
hoped  that  he  might  tread  the  illustrious  path  of  his 
noble  progenitor,  who,  he  trusted,  would,  in  him,  have 
a  representative  worthy  his  own  brilliant  career. 

After  an  excellent  speech  from  the  Duke,  that  was  re- 
peatedly cheered,  the  aged  veteran  arose.  The  assembly 
were  entreated  to  desist  from  any  audible  manifestation 
of  their  feelings,  in  reverance  to  the  age  and  debility  of 
the  speaker,  who  delivered  an  address,  which  touched 
the  sensibilities  of  all  who  heard  the  warm  and  gene- 
rous effusions  of  his  noble  mind.  It  would,  in  all  prop- 
ability,  be  the  last  time  that  he  should  meet  them  on 
the  engrossing  subject  of  his  devoted  life,  as  he  would 


III 


i^ 


t 


Wi 


%>  I 


1 

1 

'.-''■ 


:u8 


Mlty.    WAIT  «    LLTTKH, 


•soon  1)0  gathered,  with  hishmvc  Cdinpntriotsand  faith- 
ful coadjutors,  who  had  left  the  field  hi'foro  him;  and 
if  he  had  another  life  to  spend  on  earth,  he  would  ho 
too  happy  in  consceratiii,*^  it  also  to  the  sacred  cause  of 
philanthropy.  This  was  the  suhstanee  of  what  I  heard, 
and  J  do  not  thinU  that  less  than  0000  pairs  of  eyes 
were  nioistend  hv  the  tear  of  veneration  and  svmpathv. 
Mr.  Clarkson  soon  left  the  hall,  supported  hy  Mr.  Allen, 
and  another  gentleman. 

Judge  iiirney,  one  of  the  American  delegates,  was 
now  announced,  who  delivered  an  able  and  energetic 
speech,  which  was  duly  applauded;  but,  unfortunatly, 
in  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  he  forgot  his  prox- 
imity to  tlio  ladies  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  and  re- 
treating a  st("p  too  far,  came  in  contact  with  at  least  a 
[lortion  of  their  robes,  which  was  readily  perceived  by 
the  quielL  eye  of  one  of  hiseountrymon,  and  as  speedily 
remedied;  though  I  regret  to  say,  there  was  no  visible 
aj)ology  made  by  tlie  aggressor;  allbrding  a  subject  for 
the  satire  of  some  of  the  polished  Englishmen  present, 
who  pride  themselves  much  on  the  nice  points  of  eti- 
quette, and  are  ever  ready  to  sanction  the  idea  that 
American  manners  are  boorish.  Though  I  was  full 
willing  to  believe  that  the  honorable,  and,  doiihllcssly, 
gaJl'iiit  Judge,  had  looked  an  apology  to  the  gracious 
Duchess,  and  her  companion.  The  Duchess,  who 
was  in  a  plain  suit  of  mourning,  which  admirably  set 
ofi'her  line  form,  wore  a  magnificent  bracelet  on  her 
right  wrist,  bearing  the  Queen's  minaturc  likeness. 
The  sweet  poetess,  Mary  Howett,  was  shown  to  me; 
also  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Opic,  so  generally  known  and 


.i>; 


•  --'m 


■i:i 


FUOM     LONDON. 


:ill) 


csteoincd  loi'  her  valuabl'j  writings,  was  poiiitcil  out  by 
a  lady  who  know  her;  aha  appeared  rather  an  elderly 
person,  thougli  tiie  earniinc  tint  hud  not  yet  departed 
from  her  eheuk,  and  her  inU-lligent  eountonanee  .spoke 
of  cheerfulness  within;  her  dress  was  of  black  satin, 
bearing  the  plainness  of  the  costume  she  hnd  adopted; 
she  was  in  the  crowd,  appaiently  untible  to  avail  iier- 
selfofaseat.  I  yaw  an  American  gentleman  throw 
her  a  card,  and  manifest  a  desire  for  her  to  reach  the 
j)l:itform,  which,  however,  seemed  quite  Jm[)ratieable; 
but  all  was  soon  forgottcm,  as  the  name  of  U'Connel! 
O'Connel,  was  sounded  and  resounded  throughout  the 
assembly,  while  all  were  eager  to  cateh  a  glimpse  of 
the  Irish  orator,  whoso  noble  and  independent  iigurc 
soon  merged  from  the  living  mass  on  the  stand,  when 
a  scone  of  enthusiastic  cheering  and  tumult  ensued, 
which  completely  transcends  description,  and  which 
was  answered  by  the  most  perfectly  graceful  bows, 
while  ho  held  hisjiat  in  his  left  hand,  and  pressed  his 
generous  and  liberty-loving  heart  with  his  right.  The 
most  amusing  smiles  played  round  his  mouth  in  the 
mean  time,  which  served  as  a  prelude  to  the  rich  and 
pointed  eloquence  we  were  about  to  enjoy.  It  was 
some  time  before  he  could  be  heard;  and  even  when 
sounds  had  ceased,  the  waving  of  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs foreboded  another  outburst;  but  the  speaker  be- 
gan. 1  fancied  tliat  1  had  heard  eloquence;  and  I  had 
heard  doqucmcc  flow  in  rich  profusion  from  many  of 
the  lions  of  English  oratory,  whom  1  had  listened  to  in 
that  hall;  but  this  was  an  eloquence  of  a  superior  or- 
der— t'was  a  voice  from  the    Emerald   Isle,    which 


ti  In 

'  I 

Mr' 


I  ■ 


r 
1 


3    !, 


•  XV,  ; 


•■t  .1- 
■J 


I' 

«  If,, 


•   vM 


i'V 


-Ij-ft. 


>-^i 


■,1-SHf'v, 


4  ■   I;    ' 

111, 


1!'; .»: 


320 


MRS.   WAIT  S    LETEft. 


breathed  the  sweet  tones  of  the  minstrels  of"  Erin — 
t'was  eloquence  that  entranced  the  mind  with  its  genu- 
ine point,  cadence,  and  melody,  which  poured  forth 
the  soul  of  the  illustrious  speaker,  in  argumentative 
strains  too  bewitching  to  resist;  and  which  told  alike 
on  the  hearts  of  his  auditors  and  the  heaven-born  cause 
of  philanthropy.  Ireland,  too — the  woes  of  distressed 
Ireland,  were  not  forgotten  by  the  champion  of  her 
rights  and  liberties,  and  I  sighed  for  poor  Canada, 
also,  as  a  blessing  was  invoked  for  Irish  redress,  as 
well  as  the  ultimate  success  of  the  cause  which  had 
brought  to  that  meeting  the  agents  of  humanity 
from  all  parts  of  the  Globe,  *'whose  c/forls  would  yet 
raise  the  entire  human  family  from  a  state  of  degra- 
dation and  slavery,  to  that  of  exulting  liberty;  and 
were  we  to  despond  of  success,  the  angels  of  mercy, 
who  are  present,  would  cheer  us  on  to  victory.  Yes  ice 
will  trhimph,  for  icumen,  of  England  and  America,  you 
are  here  to  shed  the  dew  drops  of  heaven  on  our  sa- 
cred cause,  by  the  magic  of  your  co-operative  influ- 
ence." Again  the  spacious  arch  rang  with  tumultuous 
applause,  and  the  inimitable  orator  took  his  seat.  An 
American  mulatto,  now  appeared,  who  spoke  of  the 
wrongs  of  his  fellow-men,  with  an  ability  and  pathos 
truly  admirable;  being  a  pertect  refutation  of  the  in- 
human idea,  generally  supported  by  the  enemies  of 
their  race,  that  the  black  is  deficient  in  natural  intel- 
lect; had  those  arrogant  personages  been  under  tlie 
sound  of  his  voice,  they  would  doubtless,  have  soon 
been  undeceived,  and  would  have,  at  least,  admitted, 
that  this  Virginian  was  a  noble  exception.     The  mee- 


li'iv 


■'% 


FROM    LOXDON. 


:321 


brin — 
its  genu- 
cd  forth 
nentativc 
old  alike 
Dm  cause 
istressed 
n  of  her 
Canada, 
jdress,  as 
hich  had 
humanity 
v^ould  yet 
of  degra- 
jrty;  and 
if  mercy, 
7.  Yes  we 
:3rica,  you 
Q  our  sa- 
tive  infki- 
jmultuous 
seat.  An 
ke  of  the 
nd  pathos 
of  the  in- 
iiemies  of 
iral  intel- 
ander  the 
bave  soon 
admitted. 
The  mee- 


ting now  closed,  and  we  again  descended  from  elysian 
entertainments  to  reach  our  homes,  attend  to  the  ordi- 
nary requirements  of  nature,  and  dream  of  the  rerial 
regionrj  through  which  we  had  been  wafted  during  the 
day,  now  nearly  consumed,  as  it  was  live  o'clock  when 
the  concluding  speech  was  made,  yet  1  saw  no  weari- 
ness manifested  by  the  delighted  multitude;  and  you, 
my  dear  T.,  will  not  be  weary  of  this  long  epistle,  if  it 
gives  you  one  iota  of  the  pleasure,  which  I  have  enjoyed 
'mid  those  enchanting  Bcenes;  though  I  crave  your 
indulgence,  while  I  merely  touch  upon  other  objects, 
which  have  also  contributed  much  to  mv  entertainment 
and  knowledge. 

I  accompanied  a  ^ew  friends,  the  other  day,  on  a  visit 
to  the  Regent's  Park  Zoological  gardens,  comprising 
the  iincst  menagerie  in  the  world,  both  in  regard  to  the 
number  and  variety  of  its  animals;  and  I  think  it  would 
be  difficult  to  surpass  the  symmetrical  order  and  taste 
exhibited  in  the  fitting  up  of  the  whole  establishment; 
ihc  expense  of  which  must  bo  many  thousand  pounds  per 
annum,  exclusive  of  the  original  cost  of  preparing  such 
unique  accomodations  for  the  varions  tenants,  all  being 
})ermitted  to  enjoy  their  natural  elements — the  enclo- 
sures, at  the  same  time,  affording  perfect  security  to 
tlio  visiter.  The  expenses  are  met  by  annual  subscrip- 
tions of  the  members  of  the  Zoological  society,  with 
the  shilling  paid  by  each  visiter — the  latter  amounting  I 
should  think,  to  a  very  considerable  sum,  as  the  gardens 
command  much  attention,  being  beautifully  ornament- 
ed with  flowers  and  shrubbery.  Here  may  be  seen 
almost  every  species  of  the  quadruped,  as  well  as  of  the 
21 


■  j 


f 


'i! 


;i22 


MRS.     WAITS    LETTER, 


1 

1 ' !  ,     1 

■J-,'.: 

'' ;  ir 

J'V' ' 

■  '  '  . 

?:*; 

■■ -t 

1    ; 

fV. 

i. 

' '  '■'■  r." 

''■                i'-* 

*-  ^  . 

•      -i                w      ' 

,-         .t 

;  ■               '.r  V  ^■' 

1                .      '>(  ■;■ 

'.'1.  C; 

I 

t                                              .« ■' 

1    »    -'l 

"*1       , 

■.Mi?, 

111',- 

•!' 

.'ii*v  "',■■'    '■   ■'■■ 

'     ■           1  *  M  -  ■ 

' 

.,«-f   - 

Ml  -■  '     1 

■'    ■ 

>:  r 

i,;' 


i~ ...  ■■' 


i  A  :-<  i  V 

;,  (-..('•;    ■  v. 
,'      *.;  '.J  * 

It;'  >-  ; 

-  .■'  J        '.   ■ .     t 


#^' 


■Moi 


i   ■  ■    1 

y.  ■ 

je;-  ;■  ■, 

V?-  '  '  ,*   ' 

H^" 

.,f, 

*   * '  ■     ,  : 

?& 

« 

t'»  .•■; 

fi     ' 

■iv^ 

i^  V 

Ibathored  tribe,  from  all  quarters  of  the  Globe.     The 
stately  giralle  has  his  lofty  arched  domicil — the  elephant 
ills  bath — the  seal  basks  at  ease  on  the  surface  of  his 
pond — the  ])olar  bear  draws  his  length  along  from  the 
recesses  of  his  cavern — while  the  black  and  brown  arc 
climbing  to  the  lop  of  a  pole,  planted  in  the  center  of 
their  pit,  to  catch  some  treat,  which  entices  them  up: 
here  is  the  elegant  plumage  of  the  bird  of  Paradise,  and 
siuiilar  beauties  with  the  notes  of  the  sweetest  song- 
stcr.'j,  ami  the  chaUeringof  the  paraquct,  strangely  con- 
trasting with  the  disproportioned  (igure,  coarse  squeak- 
jng,  and  the  ordinary  appearance  of   some    of  their 
neighbors.     I  turned  from  the  fleet  and  greed}"  ostrich, 
to  notice  another  and  another  group,   and  could  noi 
imt  fanc}'^  the  picture  incomplete,  as  I  looked  in  vain, 
lor  the  dear  lilUe  speck  of  feathered  animation,    the 
American  humming    bird,    and    could  scarcely  ima- 
gine the  propriety  of  his  al)sence  from  so  general  a 
congregation  of  his  lu'cthrcn.      The  gardens  are  di- 
vided b)'"  a  public  thorough f.i re.  under  which  there  is  a 
splendid  tunnel  or  arch,  afibrding  a  commodious  pa';- 
sage  from  one  part  to  the  other;  tliero  are  also,  ample 
fields  for  those  animals  that  do  not  require  close  con- 
finement, to  roam  at  large;  and  the  entire  establish- 
ment must  be  esteemed  an  object  well  worthy  the  atten- 
tion and  admiration  of  the  traveller  and  naturalist. 

I  have,  also,  had  a  peep  into  the  Tower,  so  renowned 
for  secret  deeds  of  cruelty  and  blood;  and  when  con- 
ducted to  the  low  dismal  room,  which  had  been  the 
prison  of  the  devoted  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  and  shown 
the  block  and  axe  which  deprived  the  noble,  dignified* 


■|  I 


obc.     Tiie 
lie  elephant 
Ifaco  of  his 
|g  from  the 
brown  are 
center  of 
them  up: 
radise,  and 
|etc?t  sone-- 
ingcly  con- 
rsc  squeak- 
ic    of  their 
cd}'  ostrich, 
could  not 
od  in  vain, 
nation,    tiie 
ircely  ima- 
;o  general  a 
lens  are  di- 
;h  there  is  a 
lodious  pas- 
also,  ample 
'  close  con- 
•e  cstablish- 
ly  the  atten- 
turalist. 
;o  renowned 
when  con- 
id  been  the 
and  shown 
e,  dignified* 


M 


f 

i 


FROM    LONDON. 


328 


and  high  minded  Mary,  Queen  of  Scotts,  of  life,  a 
shudder  ran  through  my  frame  that  made  me  look 
with  detestation  on  the  figure  of  the  cruel  Elizabeth, 
seated,  in  the  same  liall,  on  her  white  palfrey,  attired 
in  all  the  blazonry  of  her  gaudy  court,  with  her  page 
in  green  and  gold,  holding  the  bits.  The  walls  of  the 
hall  were  hung  with  shields,  bottle  axes',  spears,  and 
similar  relics  of  instruments,  used  by  ancient  nobles 
and  warriors,  who  have,  centuries  past,  mingled  with 
the  dust.  Cannon  bombs,  and  innumerable  trophies  of 
victories  won  by  English  conrpierors,  arc  displayed  to 
the  \  isiter.  Here,  is  the  great  national  armory,  where 
pile  upon  pile,  various  war  implements  are  stowed, 
with  care,  while  the- entire  wall  and  arch  of  this  spa- 
cious apartment,  is  decorated  with  burnished  arms, 
hung  in  a  manner  comprising  the  most  fanciful  and 
tasty  figures;  here  you  may  be  shown  the  jewel  tow- 
er, which  contains  the  crown,  state  jewels,  plate,  &c. 
&c. ;  arid  hero,  also,  you  may  bo  introduced  to  all  the 
celebrated  knights  of  tiio  days  of  chivalry,  who  are 
mounted  on  their  respective  chargors,  and  clad,  cap-a- 
pie,  in  mail;  thus  exhibiting  the  complete  armor  of 
the  Knights  Templars  of  the  Crusades,  all  in  the  highest 
state  of  preservation;  here  was  Richard  Coeur  De  Lion, 
and  other  heroes,  of  Scott's  celebrated  tournament 
in  Ivanhoe,  and  my  eyes  inssensibly  stole  round  in 
search  of  the  fair  Saxon  Princess,  Rowena,  and  the  no 
less  beautiful  Jewess,  Rebecca.  But  1  will  now  brieflv 
close,  by  informing  you  that  my  dear  kind  friends  have 
procured  me  a  number  of  letters,  which  will  give  me  an 
introduction  to  the  respectables  of  Van  Dieman's  Land; 


M'- 


?1 


*  m 

m 


..  'i ' 


f 


<■ 


\  ■ 


1  i 


ri 


i^'X 


'>''■■»     ■ 
■  •-    .1    : 


3*24 


MRS.   WAIT'S    LETTER, 


and  if  nothing  particularly  favorable  occurs,  between 

this,  and  the  first  of  July,  I  expect  to  sail  for  that  coun- 

#         #         # 


try 


Your  Affectionate  Sister, 

MARIA  WAIT. 


,.< 


I:- 


•■■'>.  i 


•>■',. 


1^;  i:' 


LETTER  XX. 

London,  July  2,  1840. 
My  Dear  Husband: 

Although  you  will  expect  my  arrival  in  Van  Die- 
man's  Land  almost  daily,  after  the  receipt  of  my  last, 
recent  letter,  kindly  enclosed  in  a  communication  from 
Sir  E.  Parry  to  Sir  John  Franklin,  accompanied  by 
certificates  of  character,  &;c.;  yet,  from  circumstances 
which  have  since  transpired,  fully  explained  by  the 
following  letters  from  the  Honorable  Charles  Duller.* 
I  have  decided  on  returning  to  Canada,  immediately; 

*  "12  Lower  Eaton  Ft., 

"Sunday,  June  i4th. 
"Dear  Madam: 

"I  have  just  received  Lord  John  Rused'e  nnevver  to  my  applica- 
tion, in  behalf  of  your  husband.  He  informs  me,  that  he  has  refer- 
red the  matter  to  the  Governor  General  of  Canada.  And  1  think, 
therefore,  your  best  course  is  to  return  to  Canada,  and  endeavor 
to  get  Mr.  Poulet  Thomson  to  make  a  report  favorable  to  your 
husband.  1  think  this  would  not  be  difficult.  Indeed,  from  com- 
munications I  have  had  with  the  Colonial  office,  1  feel  convinced, 
that  the  authorities  there,  feel  that  it  would  be  right  and  politic, 
as  speedily  as  possible,  to  release  the  prisoners.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  a  general  amnesty  will  follow  close  on  the  acconiplirbment  of 
the  union  which  will  clearly  take  place  very  soon;  and  I  think,  if 
at  the  same  time,  the  Governor  General  recommends  a  pardon, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  of  its  being  granted.  You  should,  I  think, 
return  to  Canada,  and  not  attempt  to  get  up  petitions,  as  you 


■I  I 


IS,  between 
that  coun- 
ter, 
WAIT. 


2,  1840. 

Van  Die- 
of  my  last, 
cation  from 
npanied  by 
cumstances 
ned  by  the 
es  Bullcr.* 
imediately; 

pt., 

no  i4th. 

0  my  applicn- 
hc  has  rcf'er- 
And  1  think, 
md  endeavor 
able  to  your 
d,  from  com- 
•1  convinced, 
i  and  politic, 
ave  no  doubt 
plifbmcnt  of 
id  I  think,  if 
8   a  pardon, 
uld,  1  think, 
one,  as  you 


FROM    LONDON. 


325 


and,  although  I  have  been  ten  months  in  England, 
pleading  for  your  emancipation,  I  am  yet  unable  to 
give  you  the  glad  tidings  of  its  final  consummation. 
Still,  I  am  now,  more  than  ever,  encouraged  to  hope 
that  I  shall  accomplish  my  purpose,  and  have  the  inex- 
pressible joy  of  welcoming  you,  and  your  companions 
in  suffering,  to  your  native  land  not  far  hence,  should 
your  lives  be  spared  by  an  indulgent  Providence.  I 
trust  that  your  situation  is  much  more  comfortable  than 
when  vour  last  letter  was  written,  which  I  was  most 
thankful  to  receive;  though  it  brought  the  melancholy 

talked  of;  but  try  with  the  Gov.  Gen.,  to  induce  him  to  recom- 
mend a  pardon.  And  this,  of  course,  should  be  donejwithout  delay. 
"In  the  mean  time,  I  learn,  at  the  Colonial  office,  that  the  Go- 
vernor of  V.  D.  L.,  has  Ifikcn  care  that  Mr.  Wait,  and  his  com- 
jianions  in  misfortune,  shall  be  well  used.  I  think  you  may  safely 
return  to  Canada,  with  the  consciousness  that  you  have  done  oil 
that  can  be  ([one  here,  and  that  you  may  hope  the  best.  You  may 
be  sure  that  I  w'ill  pa}-  the  utmost  attention  to  any  communication 
I  may  have  from  you,  and  do  whatever  may  be  required  for  the 
unhappy  prisoners. 

*'l  am,  dear  iviadam, 
"Your's  faithfully, 

''CHA'S  BULLER,  Jr. 


"Mrs.  B.  Wait." 


"12  Lower  Eaton  st., 

"Friday,  July  3d. 


"Dear  Madam: 

"I  enclose  you  an  answer,  received  yesterday,  respecting  Mrs. 
Chandler's  petition.  I  also  send  you  a  letter  for  Mr.  Paulet 
Thomson,  in  which  I  have  strongly  urged  him  t  lo  what  he  can 
for  you. 

"May  your  endeavors  be  successful,  and  your  husband  restored 
to  you  'ere  long 

"I  should  advise  you  to  go  directly  to  the  Gov.  Gen.,  on  arri- 
ving in  Canada.     I  am  sure  he  will  be  well  disposed  to  you. 

"Your's  faithfully, 

"CHARLES  BULLER,  Jr. 

"May  I  also  trouble  you  to  lake  the  small  parcel  which  I  en- 
close with  this,  to  Mr.  Paulet  Thomson." 


pi 

If 


I 

\  f 

I!''' 

!:| 
Hi 


i^il 

1 1 


V 


' '' 


,J  'I 


,■•! 


I- 


"hu\ 


'•i'^ 


■1 
• ...  ■'  *■  ■  . ». 


;  '     ■,;{  v.      , 


■^. :: ., 


326 


MRS.    WAIT  S    LETTER, 


tidings  of  poor  Van  Camp's  sudden  deatli,  it  was  the 
welcome  harbinger  of  my  dear  Benjamin's  welfare, 
who  had  been  so  mercifLiIly  raised  from  sickness,  and 
preserved  from  death,  in  a  foriegn  and  penal  country. 
What  do  we  not  owe  to  the  Lord  of  mercy  who  thus 
supports  us  under  the  most  severe  of  earthly  afllictions? 
may  our  lives  be  more  devoted  to  his  service,  and  all 
trials  blessed  to  us.  "For  this  is  the  will  of  God  con- 
cerning us  even  our  sanctification."  I  was  rejoiced 
to  receive  a  letter  from  dear  Thaddeus,  who  informs 
me  that  our  beloved  Augusta  is  well,  and  has  not  suf- 
fered one  days  illness  since  I  left  her;  she  is  grandpa's 
pet,  and  says  that  *'mama  is  gone  to  bring  pa  home  from 
Diemaiv's  Land;"  may  this  indeed,  my  love,  be  pro- 
phetically true,  and  both  of  us  restored  to  our  tender 
lamb,  and  permitted  to  bring  her  up  in  the  fear  of  our 
God — may  she  yet  be  a  star  in  the  diadem  of  Him  who 
has  so  mercifully  nursed  her  in  his  parental  bosom. 

I  have  made  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hopkins,  who  arrived  with  their  family  from  Ho- 
barttown  on  a  visit  to  this  country,  a  few  weeks  since. 
They  are  acquainted  with  Mr.  Roberts,  to  whom 
yourself  and  Mr.  Chandler  have  been  assigned;  and 
Mr.  Hopkins  has  kindly  olFered  to  intercede  with  that 
gentleman  in  your  behalf.  Mrs.  H.  will,  also,  write 
Lady  Franklin,  with  whom  she  is  personally  acquainted; 
all  of  which,  I  trust,  will  bo  of  service  to  you,  until 
you  may  be  allowed  to  return.  I  can  not  but  think 
that  your  captivity  will  be  of  short  duration;  and,  as 
there  are  so  many  kind  intercessions  made  for  you, 
the  cogency  of  your  restraint,    in   that  country,  will 


FIIOM    LOXDOX. 


Vll 


it  was  the 
^s  we  1  faro, 
k  11  ess,  and 
al  country, 
wlio  thus 
alllictions?- 
cc,  and  all 
f  God  con- 
as  rejoiced 
ho  informs 
las  not  sui- 
s  grandpa's 
I  homo  from 
vc,   bo  pro- 
)  our  tender 
fear  of  our 
of  Him  who 
i\  bosom. 
'.   and  Mrs. 
i  from  IIo- 
veeks  since. 
,    to  whom 
signed;  and 
:le  with  that 
also,  write 
acquainted; 
you,  until 
t  but  think 
n;  and,  as 
e  for  you, 
untry,  will 


soon  bo  comparuiivly  slight;  and  you  will,  at  least, 
enjoy  local  liberty.  1  was  most  happy  to  perceive,  by 
an  article  in  a  Launceston  paper,  which  Mr.  Hop- 
kins gave  me,  that  your  cases  w^ere  not  unnoticed  by 
the  press;  it  appealed  poworfidly  to  the  Govern- 
ment, on  your  behalf;  and  remonstrated,  in  no  measur- 
ed terms,  upon  the  inconsistency  of  political  offenders 
from  Canada,  being  placed  upon  a  level,  and  mingled 
with  the  common  criminals  and  felons,  in  that  pena! 
settlement. 

I  wrote  you  in  my  last,  that  I  would  endeavor  to  go 
out,  if  unsuccessful  in  my  exertions  here;  which  two 
weeks  since,  1  fully  expected  to  carry  into  effect,  and, 
as  I  knew  not  to  what  1  could  best  turn  my  attention 
for  support,  in  that  country,  during  the  time  that 
might  possibly  elapse,  ])revious  to  your  emancipation 
from  servitude,  I.  availed  myself  of  the  privilege,  most 
kindly  granted,  and  entered  the  model  institution  of  the 
Home  and  Colonial  Infant  School  Society,  in  which  1 
have  been  much  delighted  as  well  as  instructed,  in  the 
admirable  system  pursued,  by  this  philanthropic  asso- 
ciation to  instruct  the  children  of  the  poor — the  plan  of 
which  is,  to  inculcate  the  elementary  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity— to  cultivate  religious  impressions — to  call  into 
action,  by  a  system  in  which  love  and  discipline  are 
happily  blended,  the  best  feelings  and  affections  of  the 
heart;  and,  as  far  as  possible,  secure  the  formation  of 
moral  habits — to  exercise  the  senses  on  suitable  objects 
— to  call  the  powers  of  observation  into  activity — and, 
indeed,  to  develop  all  the  faculties  of  the  infant  mind, 
with  the  improvement  of  the  bodily  organs,  by  health- 


tii 


w 


Hi 


m 


IIV 


Ui 


l\ 


ii'f 


'.r,J. 


I  ; 


328 


MRS.    wait's    letter, 


11 ' 


<«  1 


a 


■  -.'fi  *. 


1     -J. 


.A'V 


.  I  ■  ■  '■  '  ■• 


*f     t 


.r 


'■  ■■         ■    .   i 
•■•       '  I- 

,  I 


ful  and  proper  juvenile  exercises.  It  is  truly  wonder- 
ful, that  the  little  creatures  arc  capable  of  the  rapid 
improvement,  which  h  evidently  manifested,  by  their 
progress. 

This  humane  institution  is  supported  by  voluntary 
contribution;  and  during  the  four  years  of  its  existence, 
has  sent  out  four  hundred  and  nineteen  teachers,  who 
have  been  carefully  trained  in  the  above  wise  princi- 
ples, and  had  the  benefit  of  tri-weekly  lectures  from 
able  instructors,  calculated  to  store  their  minds  with  a 
knowledge  of  all  useful  branches,  and  render  them 
capable  of  discharging  the  arduous  duties  of  their  high 
and  responsible  vocation. 

Had  I  gone  to  your  sea  girt  prison  land,  I  might 
have  been  an  humble  instrument,  in  the  hands  of  Godj 
by  rendering  service  to  the  rising  generation  in  that 
country  of  vice  and  consequent  misery;  but  it  is  other- 
wise willed;  and,  although  I  did  not,  my  dear,  shrink 
from  the  idea  of  sharing  your  exile,  still  I  deemed  it 
prudent  to  take  the  advice  of  my  friends — be  guided 
by  circumstances,  and  yet  strive  for  your  return;  be 
assured,  I  have  faith  in  the  issue.  Through  the  gen- 
erous sympathy  of  many  dear  and  kind  friends  in  this 
country,  a  passage  has  been  taken  for  America,  and  1 
expect  to  sail  on  the  7th  inst.  I  shall,  in  all  probability, 
bo  in  Canada  long  ere  this  reaches  you.  But  fear  not 
my  love,  should  my  present  hopes  prove  abortive,  I 
will  yet,  with  Divine  permission,  join  you,  in  company 
with  our  dear  child,  whose  society  will  far  more  en- 
hance our  happiness,  though  we  may  be  severed  for  a 
greater  length  of  time  than  our  own  reunion,  and  a 


t,': 


.  ."ii 


y  wonder- 
thc  rapid 
I,  by  their 

voluntary 
existence, 
hers,  who 
se  princi- 
-ires  from 
lids  with  Vi 
rider  them 
their  high 

I,  I  might 
ds  of  God 5 
3n  in  that 
it  is  other- 
ar,  shrink 
deemed  it 
■be  guided 
return;  be 
1  the  gen- 
nds  in  this 
rica,  and  1 
robability, 
ut  fear  not 
ibortive,  I 
1  company 
more  en- 
i^ered  for  a 
on,  and  a 


FROM    LONDON. 


329 


continued  separation,  by  so  great  a  distance,  from  the 
babe  of  our  affoctions.  Though  I  do  trust  you  will, 
'ere  long,  bo  on  your  homeward  passage,  in  which 
hope  I  rest  for  the  present,  looking  unto  Ilim  *'who  is 
able  to  do  exceeding,  abundant,  above  all  we  can  ask 
or  Ihiidc,  for  the  sake  of  our  compassionate  Redeemer 
and  Advocate,'"  as  I  well  know  there  will  not  one  more 
trial  be  laid  upon  us  than  is  necessary  for  the  purposes 
of  sovereign  mercy,  then  let  us  "run  with  patience, 
the  race  that  is  set  before  us;  looking  unto  Jesus,  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith"' — that  when  our  pil- 
grimage on  earth  is  ended,  we  may  have  an  abundant 
entrance  ministered  unto  us,  to  the  kingdom  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  where  we  shall  go  no  more  out  for 
ever.  Shall  wo  not  bear  the  will  of  Go  I  meekly,  in 
view  of  the  exalted  glories  of  heaven?  Our  sufferings 
here,  at  the  longest,  can  be  but  shoi't,  and  then,  oh 
how  glorious  the  conqueror^s  song.  Cheer  up,  ray  dear; 
rise  superior  to  surrounding  circumstances;  aim  for 
the  skies,  and  the  company  of  celestial  intelligences 
shall  be  your  rich  reward.  I  sometimes  fancy  you  a 
band  of  American  missionaries,  who  have  gone  to 
disseminate  light,  principle,  and  morality  among  the 
degraded  children  of  crime,  who  people  Britain's  penal 
colonies,  and  I  doubt  not  you  will  sustttin  the  stand- 
ard of  American  character  in  a  manner  worthy  the 
cause  for  which  you  suffer.  I  was  told,  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Government  here,  the  other  day,  in  a  con- 
solatory manner,  "that  yours  was  not  a  crime  at  which 
the  Government  felt  indignant.''  Oh!  thought  I,  how 
superlaiivly  consistent  would  be  that  indignation,  which 


'I 


111 


hi 


^ 


II 


i.v 


m 
I 


I 


330 


."MRS.    wait's   LETTI-Il, 


..s 


.  ir;     », 


-^):^' 


1  Mt .  Ai.-    . 


■) 


'  .'V'.i    I 


^*"S:: 


^  I 


-1}  ■- 


was  aroused  by  the  crime  of  panting  for  liberty,  while 
in  the  coils  of  a  deadly  monster.  May  the  e,\ain|)lc  of 
every  American  who  has  been  dragged  to  those  polluted 
shores,  tell  upon  that  depraved  community,  and  hourly 
proclaim  the  story  of  his  noble  and  independent  birth. 
Uevered  be  the  names  of  those  who  raised  their  arms 
in  the  cause  ot'sull'cring  Canada;  how  well  have  they 
shown  that  they  duly  appreciated  the  freedom  gained 
for  them  by  llieir  illustrious  ancestors,  and  asserted 
themselves  the  true  scions  of  liberty,  by  active  sympa- 
thy for  their  oppressed  neighbors.  r>''ay  the  God  of 
liberty  and  mercy,  hear  their  sighs;  watch  o\er  their 
destinies,  and  raise  them  up  friends,  whose  puissant  ex- 
ertions may  speedily  restore  them  to  their  own  genial 
clime,  whose  soil  is  alone  worthy  the  foot  prints  of 
freemen.  Ma}'  my  feeble  efforts  indeed  be  of  s..')me 
service  to  them.  It  is  fm*  my  country  they  sullcr  and 
not  for  their  own;  and  cuuld  my  puny  arm  send  forth 
the  mandate,  liow  soon  would  they  return.  1  do  most  sin- 
cerely hope,  tliat  the  American  people  will  unite  with  an 
energy  commensurate  to  the  avvl'ul  necessity  of  their  en- 
slaved friends  and  fellow  citizens  in  captivity.  Though 
should  there  not  be  another  voice  raised,  be  assured, 
my  deal*  husband,  that  I  will  not  leave  the  field  of  duty 
while  kind  Providence  aids  me,  in  struggling  for  your 
emancipation,  and  a  merciful  God  will  deign  to  hear 
prayer  for  the  unhappy  i)risoner.  Mr.  Hopkins  most 
kindly  takes  charge  of  this  letter,  enclosing  the  one 
rceived  from  dear  brother  T.,  which  I  trust  will  be  of 
some  consolation  and  satisfaction  to  you,  as  it  con- 
tains much  interesting  intelligence  from  Canada.     1 


Vt^ 


ty,  wliilc 
xjunplc  of 
;c  polluted 
11(1  hourly 
lont  l)irtli. 
heir  arms 
Ikivc  they 
om  gained 
1  asserted 
vo  sym pa- 
he  God  of 
oNor  their 
uissantex- 
Dwn  genial 
prints  of 
)C  of  s..^rno 
sullbr  and 
1  send  forth 
do  most  sin- 
nitc  with  an 
of  their  en- 
ty.  Though 
be  assured, 
field  of  duty 
ing  for  your 
ign  to  hear 
opkins  most 
ing  the  one 
st  will  be  of 
,  as  it  con- 
Canada.     I 


f. 


VROyi    CANADA. 


331 


also  send  you  a  box  of  books,  which,  I  hope,  will  be 
acceptable  and  interesting  to  you.  It  will,  with  these 
letters,  be  forwarded  to  the  Uev.  .J.  Nesbit,  of  Ilobart- 
town,  from  whom  you  will,  doubtless,  receive  them  in 
safely.  I  will  write  you  immediately  ul'lor  my  arrival 
in  Canada,  or,  at  least,  as  soon  as  I  can  learn  the  views 
of  the  Governor  (Jeneral,  whose  policy,  I  hope,  may 
be  in  accordance  with  my  most  sanguine  wishes. 
Until  then  1  commend  you  to  God,  trusting  he  will 
graciously  enable  you  to  bear  whatever  indignities  may 
be  heaped  upon  yon,  with  christian  fortitude,  and  in- 
spire you  with  the  elevating  cojisolations  of  hope  and 
religion. 

Your  aftectionate 

MARIA. 


LETTER  XXr. 


Canada,  October,  1840. 
My  Dear  Benjamin: 

Agreeable  to  the  information  contained  in  my  last 
letter  from  London,  I  returned  immediately  to  this 
country.  It  was,  inded  most  painful  to  me  to  leave  the 
vicinity  of  the  throne,  'ere  I  had  fully  effected  your 
emancipation,  which  would,  of  course,  be  but  a  pre- 
cursor of  the  same  happy  event  to  your  companions  in 
sutFering.  Still  I  hope,  with  the  blessing  of  heaven, 
you  will  soon  be  enabled  to  make  glad  the  hearts  of 
those  who  now  mourn  your  absence. 

After  learning  the  health  of  friends,  and  once  more 
giving  our  dear  child  a  mother's  embrace,  I  hastened 


"111     Kl 


' 


i 


|| 


.^1 


l;i 


111 ;? 


■• 


I 


332 


MRS.    WAIT  8    LETTKR, 


il 


f 

l'     I 

■;-:l 


j; 


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rn^;  i 


^ii; 


.•.;;i- 


to  Toronto,  thut  I  miglit  av.'iil  inyholf  of  tho  ofirlicst 
opportunity  of  coimnunicatiiig  with  the  Gov.  (Toncral, 
who  was  expected  tiierc  on  a  visit. 

On  rcacliing  iho  (Tovernrncnt  House,  I  was  inform- 
ed that  his  Kxccllency  was  then  engagrul  with  Sir 
(Toorgo  Arfluir;  and  that  liis  tiino  was  so  fully  occu- 
pied, that  it  winild  not  he  possible  to  grant  an  inter- 
view; hut  "that  ho  would  be  ha|)py  to  receive  any 
coniniunications  I  might  send  up.''  I  immediately  ad- 
dressed the  following  note  of  remonstrance  to  him: 

Toronto,  l-2lh  Scp(.,  1840. 
Hifl  Excillrncy,  Ihc  Gov'r  Gcn'l. 

Sir:  Ap:recnl)lc  to  roqucBl,  1  hcrcwifh  traiifiinit  lo  your  Excel- 
lency, the  Idler  niiil  parcel  wilU  which  1  was  favored,  hy  llie  Hon. 
Charlchi  BiiUcr,  of  Lomloii,  hiiiiil)ly  trn.^ling,  that  when  your  Ex- 
cellency ehiiU  have  learned  the  peculiar  circunistnnces  of  my  situ- 
ation, thnt  ycni  may  he  iil.'a-ed  to  ^Trant  nie  an  interview. 

I  would  licg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  I  have  Hpcnl 
the  lost  year  in  Eiu^land,  in  stipplicatinif  the  mercy  of  the  Crown, 
in  behalf  of  a  youthfid  and  untbrtunutc  hushand,  who  was  enga- 
ged in  the  insurrectionary  movements  of  '38,  and  who  is  now  suf- 
fering, from  transportation  to  a  distant  ami  j)cnal  Colony. 

I  am  happy,  however,  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  nothing 
could  be  more  kind  than  the  feelings  manifested  hy  her  Majesty, 
her  Ministers,  and  many  of  her  house-hold,  with  whom  I  had  the 
honor  of  corresponding  on  the  subject. 

I  memorialized  the  Queen  through  the  Sec'y  of  State,  Lord 
Normanby,  who  received  me  very  graciously,  and  expressed  much 
sympathy  in  the  case;  and  in  answer  to  an  application,  in  June 
last,  to  Lord  John  RusscI,  liis  Lordship  was  pleased  to  say,  that 
the  matter  had  been  referred  to  your  excellency,  the  Governor 
General  of  Canada. 

I  need  hardly  say,  that  I  readily  acquiesced  in  the  advice  of  my 
warm  hearted  English  friends,  and  returned  to  my  native  land, 
without  delay,  that  I  might  lay  the  case  fully  before  your  Excel- 


m. 


w 

Art' 


^Vi,: 


r^ 


^X 


i 


KllOM    (AN  A  DA. 


aan 


Icncy;  and  permit  mo  to  ndd,  with  no  ordinnry  dcgioe  of  hope, 
from  n  knovvled^'o  of  the  hij,'h  cbnrncf(;r  your  Excellency  so  justly 
Himlaiiis  ill  lMin;|ftti(i,  !iH  well  fiH  in  Ihin  <'oun(ry,  where  1  (iiibt  the 
proper  development  of  the  present  lihcral  policy,  niny  indeed  prove 
n  bright  era  in  the  history  of  Cnniuin,  tnid  pnwperily  and  peucc  be 
tho  rich  reword  of  your  Excellency 'h  superior  government. 

I  hnve  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  «!wc., 

MARIA  WAIT. 
Ill  this  I  enclosed  my  letters,  and  w.vitud  ids  answer, 
wldcli  was  verbylly  given,  tlirougli  J.  E.  Small,  Esq., 
who  liad  kindly  acconipaidcd  ine;  lie  ijiformcd  this 
gentleman,  tliat  tho  home  (Government  iiad  referred 
tho  matter  to  him;  and  that  lie  would  give  liis  attention 
to  tho  subject,  though  at  present  lio  could  do  little  more 
than  recommend  a  lenient  course  in  V.  1).  L.,  which 
he  would  at  once  do;  seeming  to  imply  that  the  result 
would  be  governed  by  the  cflect  of  the  union.  1  did 
not  accept  this  communication  as  a  reply  to  my  letter, 
and  accordingly  wrote  him  again  on  the  subject,  as 
follows: 

j'onoNTo,  ISth  Sept.  1840. 
Jlis  Excellency,  the  Gov'r  Gen'l  of  Cnnnda. 

Sir:  Not  having  been  favored  with  an  answer  to  my  note  of  the 
I2th,  I  venture  to  beg  that  your  Excellen3yw.il  be  pleased  to 
pardon  the  hberty  with  which  I  do  myself  the  honor  of  again  ad- 
dressing you,  deeming  that,  but  for  the  circuiiistanec  of  your  Ex- 
cellency being  in  this  Province  on  a  vitjit,  rather  than  blisiness,  and 
the  consequent  engagements  pressing  rapidly  upon  you,  during 
your  short  stay,  I  should  most  assuredly  h.-tvc  been  answered; 
which,  1  think,  your  Excellency  cannot  hesitate  to  feel  is  my  due, 
having  returned  from  England  for  the  express  purpose  of  confer- 
ring with  your  Excellency,  on  the  subject  already  made  known; 
being  strongly  recommended  to  do  po  by  the  (I  am  happy  to  say) 
very  respectable  friends  I  made  in  England,  who  did  not  hesitate 
to  assure  me,  that  I  should  meet  with,  at  least,  a  comtcoue  recep^ 


r\ 


f 


I 


^i! 


1 


• 

I  i 


I 


1 '  ':■•''  "•' 


W:l 


or?o':r 


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i . 


-^:Ui':'W^l 


I  I 

'■* 

■'^      .  i 

I  .-■  :■    .'■■ 


I 


334 


MRS.    WAIT'S    LETTKH, 


tion  from  hia  Excellency,  the  Governor  General  of  Canndn,  to 
whom  Lord  John  Rufisel,  in  much  kindnesp,  informed  me  he  had 
beeii  picnsed  to  refer  the  mntter. 

I  do  hope  that  ycmr  Excellency  will,  in  compneeion,  spare  me 
the  most  painful  ncceaeity  oi'  retitrning  again  to  England,  alone 
and  unprotected,  to  urge  my  suit  at  the  font  of  the  throne. 

I  beg  leave,  however,  to  eay,  that  I  am  far  from  being  insensi- 
ble to  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  wliich  your  Excellency  is,  at 
this  moment,  placed,  in  regard  to  the  great  political  change  about 
to  take  place  in  this  country,  under  your  Excellcncy'd  adminietra- 
tioii,  that  of  the  union  of  the  Provincca,  which  neci.Tearily  requires 
time  for  maturity;  and  I  would  neither  seek  for  promises,  nor  ask 
what  your  Excellency  can  not,  upon  fixed  and  generous  principles 
of  policy,  grant;  bat  could  I  be  favored  with  an  interview,  I  should 
deem  myself  most  happy  in  being  permitted,  candidly  and  quietly, 
to  confer  Vvith  your  Excellency  on  the  subject.  I  can  assure  you, 
sir,  you  need  be  apprehensive  of  no  violent  outburr-ls  of  fueling,  or 
what  is  coumuKily  termed  a  scene;  and  v/hich  gentlemen  are  gene- 
rally (pcrhaj'.s  properly)  fearful  of,  Vv-hcn  appronchcd  by  females, 
in  supplication,  on  subjects  especially  of  the  painful  nature  of  the 
one  which  brings  mc  to  your  Excellency  for  mercy;  but  two  years 
and  a  half  of  mental  agony,  have  to  inured  me  io  sufi'ering  and  trial, 
that  feeling  haa  almost  ceased  to  flow  in  it.i  natural  channel. 

Should  your  Excellency  yet  condcGccnd  to  see  me,  I  will  endea- 
vor to  wait  upon  you  at  Montreal,  or  any  place  you  may  be  plea- 
sed to  appoint;  or  shoidd  tida  be  drcmed  worthy  of  a  reply  from 
your  Excellency,  the  snmc  will  reach  me  at  the  Chippawa  TozA 
ofiice.     Trusting  in  your  Excellency's  kindness  and  humanity, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  «S6c.  &c  , 

MART  A  WAIT. 

This  brought  the  following   document  from  the  Go- 
vernment House  in  Lower  Canada: 

''Government  House, 
"Montreal,  30th,  Sept.  1840. 
"Madam: 

"Your  letter  of  the  18lh  September,  has  been  submitted  to  the 
Governor  General,  and  I  am  directed  to  express  his  Excellency's 


'.  .'M 


I.     rt^    ,,    ;, 


FROM    CANADA. 


33n 


>\ 


regret,  tlint  you  ehould  hnve  considered  that  yonr  letter  renmined 
without  a  reply.  His  Excellency  conferred  with  Mr.  Small  upon 
the  subject,  and  requested  that  gentleman  to  assure  you,  that  he 
would  give  the  case  of  your  husband,  hie  early  and  attentive  con- 
sideration. 

"ITi.^'  Excellency  now  directs  me  to  inform  you,  that  after  hav- 
ing closely  examined  the  documents  connected  with  thig  case,  he 
regrets  to  soy  that  he  can  not  comply  with  your  wishes,  to  their 
full  extent;  but  he  ha3  informed  the  Secretary  of  State,  that,  in 
his  opinion,  aflcr  the  expiration  of  a  limited  time,  a  ticket  of  leave 
mn^'  eafcly  be  granted  to  Mr.  Wait,  and  every  opportunity  aifor- 
ded  him  to  regain  a  rcRpectablc  footing  in  society,  in  the  countrv 
in  which  he  reside?. 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Madam, 

"Your  obedient  servant, 

<'TnO.  C.  MURDOCK, 

''Chief  Secretary.'- 
This  concurring  Vv'ith  tlic  exprcGscd  disposition  of 
Lord  John  RusscI,  v/ill  ;it  least  secure  to  you  tickets 
of  leave,  under  which  3^011  will  bo  more  at  case;  and 
which  T  firmly  believe  to  bo  an  earncr-t  of  your  final 
release;  as  there  is  every  reason  to  infer  that  it  will 
soon  take  place.  The  union  will  be  proclaimed  this 
winter,  and  there  is  little  doubt  of  the  Governor'^;  act- 
ing in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  united  Legis- 
lature, to  wliom  {  shall  appeal,  and  whose  influence  I 
shall  unquestionally  have,  iu  urging  your  restoration, 
and  recommending  a  gmeral  amnesty,  on  the  settle- 
ment of  the  government.  There  is  mucli  excitement 
on  the  subject  of  the  union  and  the  approaching  Par- 
liamentary election,  which  will  take  place  soon  nfter 
the  proclamation.  1  have  seen  a  number  of  those  gen- 
tlemen who  are  likely  to  be  the  representatives  in  as- 
semhly,  and  they  are  united  in  the  opinion,   that  Par- 


II 


¥i 


I 


f' 


-"iiiimii'" 


^■■•Mev^jf^.il^j^_,  «•  «*;>.►,«? '/: 


I 


-■S,'. 


■■< 


;r  ■'■^' 


!    ! 


^■p?:-^;' 


I 


rv.,i.^ 


336 


MRS,   WAIT  S    LETTER, 


liament  will  act  in  our  favor,  and  recommend  a  gene- 
ral amnesty  to  the  government.  I  have,  therefore,  to 
await  the  time  when  1  can  advantageously  make  ano- 
ther application  on  your  behalf.  I  hope,  at  least,  that 
these  political  experiments  may  be  sufficiently  satisfac- 
tory to  induce  a  liberal  policy  toward  all  political  offen- 
ders, and  obliviate  the  imaginary  necessity  of  delay- 
ing a  full,  complete,  and  general  amnesty. 

It  seems  to  be  the  purpose  of  the  Government,  to 
pursue  a  more  liberal  course  in  Canada;  and,  indeed, 
the  necessity  of  something  to  elicit  the  confidence  of 
the  people,  is  evidently  obvious.  Some  are  expecting 
benefit  from  a  responsible  government;  others  are 
looking  for  arnachy  and  confusion,  while  mo;'  are 
careless,  and  seem  not  to  have  formed  even  a  v  jc 
idea  of  the  matter.  One  thing  is  certain,  how.  .i; 
the  people  arc  no  longer  afraid  to  whisper  the  fact, 
that  grievances  exist,  and  that  tlie  administration  of 
government  is  corrupt  and  iniquitous.  It  is  not  trea- 
sorif  now,  to  be  a  reformer,  which  is  an  indication  you 
perceive,  of  a  change  for  tiie  better;  and,  at  least  one 
step  toward  freedom,  resulting  from  the  rebel! ion. 

Mr.  Merritt  has  just  enclosed  me  a  letter  from  Sir 
John  Franklin,  acknowledging  the  receii)t  of  your  cer- 
tificates of  character,  bearing  Mr.  M's  recommen- 
dation. Sir  .!.,  professes  his  readiness  to  extend  any 
indulgence  in  his  power  to  you.  This  is  evidence, 
positive,  that  those  documents  have  been  favorably  no- 
ticed, and  which  I  think,  cannut  fail  to  be  of  service 
to  you,  as  the  tone  of  the  entire  lettc.  is  kind  and  sat- 
isfactory.    Our  friends  in  England  are  ready  to  take 


FROM  NIAGARA  FALLS. 


337 


advantage  of  any  change  for  your  benefit,  and  exert 
their  influence  on  the  government  there,  for  your  spee- 
dy release.  I  think,  therefore,  we  may  safely  indulge 
in  the  pleasures  of  hope. 

Ever  your's, 

M.  W. 


LETTER  XXII. 

Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  20,  1841. 
My  Dear  Husband: 

As  you  may  suppose,  I  hailed  the  first  meeting  of  the 
United  Legislature  with  no  ordinary  degree  of  hope 
and  anxiety,  and  consequently  proceeded  to  Kingston, 
on  the  18th  July,  to  make  the  intended  appeal.  After 
consulting  a  number  of  members,  1  decided  upon  ma- 
king a  personal  application  to  Lord  Sydenham  for  your 
release,  and  petitioning  the  House  to  recommend  a 
general  amnesty  for  all  political  oifcnders.  The  latter 
could  alone  be  done,  by  obtaining  the  signatures  of 
the  various  constituencies  to  a  memorial,  embodying 
the  prayer;  and  this,  of  course,  would  require  time  and 
attention.  I  accordingly  prepared  my  petition,  and 
sought  an  interview  to  present  it;  and  while  waiting 
his  Excellency's  pleasure,  as  to  the  time  he  could  see 
me,  I  carried  it  to  the  Parliament  house,  where  I  suc- 
ceeded most  admirably,  in  obtaining  the  influence  of  the 
members — more  than  fifty  of  whom  generously  recom- 
mended my  memorial  to  the  Governor's  favorable 
consideration — among  them  were  Sir  A.  McNab,  Col. 

Prince, and  some  of  the  Executive  council. 
22 


HI 


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t^-- 


I* 


:** 


/■;»J     ^ 


'»>i! 


i. 


3:3S 


MRS.  WAIT  S    LETTER, 


His  Lordship  gave  me  a  kind  reception,  compli- 
menled  mc  highly  upon  "bringing  the  house  of  As- 
sembly" witli  me,  and  said,  he  "did  not  at  all  wonder 
at  it,  as  he  would  most  i'rccly  add  his  signature  to  the 
number,  was  it  consistent  with  the  station  he  occupied 
in  the  country.''  I  do  believe  that  the  recommenda- 
tion will  be  sent  out,  and  you,  my  deaf,  with  others, 
return  to  the  land  of  your  nativity. 

I  left  Kingston  immediately  after  the  interview,  and 
in  company  with  my  brother  G.,  spent  four  weeks  in 
circulating  the  above  named  petition,  praying  for  a  free 
pardon  to  all  implicated  in  the  rebellion,  and  enclosed 
the  same  to  Mr.  Merritt,  in  the  following  letter. 

''Louth,  U.  C,  August  30,  184L 
''Dear  Sir: 

"I  am  most  hnppy  in  the  privilege  of  trnnsmitting  to  you  tlie 
rnclosed  petition,  embracing,  ns  it  docs,  llic  vvisbes  of  n  very  res- 
pectable portion  of  your  worthy  conetitucntp,  as  well  ne  those  of 
Mr.  Thorbrrn,  Mr.  Thompson,  and  others,  which  I  trust  will  meet, 
jiot  only  with  the  energetic  support  of  their  respective  representa- 
tives, but  with  that  of  every  friend  of  humanity  in  your  honorable 
House,  as  it  must  be  apparent  to  all,  that  it  will  be  a  politic  mens- 
ure,  and  one  of  which  the  whole  country  is  desirouF,  being 
fraught  with  the  most  beneficial  results.  I  can,  indeed,  assure 
you,  that  had  time  permitted,  this  petition  would  have  borne  to 
you  the  signatures  of  nearly  the  whole  Province;  and  my  only  re- 
gret is,  that  I  did  not  commence  a  month  earlier,  as  the  shortness 
of  time  has  only  oUovved  mc  to  obtain  the  names  of  the  most  pro- 
minent individuals  in  each  place  where  it  has  been  ollcred;  and 
I  now  hasten  to  forward  it,  hoping  that  the  period  has  not  elapsed, 
when  it  may  be  presented  to  the  Assembly  under  favorable  auspices. 
"Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

"Your' a,  most  respectfully, 

''MARIA  WAIT, 

-'Wm.  II.  Merritt,  Esq." 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


339 


On  tliG  receipt  of  the  above,  the  House  addressed 
the  Government  on  the  subject;  and  on  the  15th  inst. 
Mr.  Mcrritt  enclosed  me  his  reply,  the  purport  of  which 
is  so  far  satisfactory,  as  his  assurance  that  he  would, 
at  once,  make  knowiLihe  wishes  of  the  House  to  the 
home  Govern^rrancl' urge  upon  the  Queen,  in  the 
communication,  his  own  views,  which  were  indulgent 
to  the  Canadian  exiles,  and  consequently,  in  accordance 
with  the  feelings  of  the  House. 

Are  not  the  grounds  of  my  hope  suflicicntly  encour- 
aging to  induce  others  to  come  and  do  likewise?  Sure- 
ly they  desire  the  return  of  their  exiled  friends,  and 
I  Iwpe  they  will  exert  themselves  for  their  emancipa- 
tion.         =»         *         *         * 

Adieu. 

MARIA. 


LETTER  XXIII. 

MoNA  Vale,  near  Ross,  V.  D.  L. 

Nov.  1841. 

To , 

My  dear  sir:  I  will  now  speak  very  briefly  of  the 
discovery,  settlement,  and  appearance  of  this  Island; 
then  give  a  few  statistical  details,  and  close  my 
correspondence,  that  is,  such  of  it  as  may  be  deemed 
historical.  However  you  may  still  expect  occasional 
letters,  filled,  perhaps,  with  local  matter  that  may  inte- 
rest and  amuse  you;  yet  such  must  be  subject  to  the 
freaks  of  my  fancy. 


! 


r 


H 


1    '.V 


L 


V    i  t 

PI 


*l 


Ha 


!■. 


■  ■' 


>:;■]•' 


r-r 


■■'.If 


>  «  1  > 


I'llt-)':?:.! 


.4.^ 


340 


LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.   L. 


Just  200  years  have  elapsed  since  Mynheer  Tasman 
first  rubbed  his  eyes  with  delight  at  the  sight  of  this 
small  rock  begirt  spot  of  terra  jirma;  and  named  it, 
in  honor  to  his  patron,  the  Governor  of  Dutch  India, 
Anthony  Van  Dieman.  He  found  no  bays  or  harbors 
into  which  he  could  put,  to  shelter  his  ships  from  the 
storm  that  raged  at  the  time;  consequently  sought 
safety  in  the  open  sea,  where,  according  to  his  log,  he 
found  all  calm  and  quiet — occasioning  him  to  des- 
cribe the  Island,  as  one  **accursed  in  the  sight  of  the 
mariner,  where  the  winds  roared  and  raged;  where 
waves  foamed  and  lashed,  and  vviicrc  lightnings  glow- 
ed and  flashed  incessantly — a  land  of  thunder,  storm, 
fire  and  tempest — a  coast  rife  with  death,  horror,  and 
shipwreck!"  This  description  deterred  other  navigators 
from  visiting  it  for  many  years,  and  but  little  was 
known  about  V.  D.  L.,  until  the  close  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, when  Capt.  Cook,  and  otlicrs  also,  found  it  **a 
bleak,  and  inhospitable  spot,  often  visited  by  hurri- 
canes." 

Perhaps  V.  D.  L.,  would  never  have  been  regarded 
worth  inhabiting,  for  any  other  purpose  than  that  to 
which  it  was  devoted  by  the  penal  settlement  of  Bot- 
any Bay,  now  Sidney,  viz:  "a  station  for  the  condign 
punishment  of  their  doubly  convicted  felons."  When 
such  became  the  determination,  Col.  Collins,  in  1804, 
was  sent,  vvith  four  hundred  prisoners,  and  fifty  ma- 
rines to  take  and  keep  possesion  of  it.  He  landed  at 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  Hobarttown,  where  he  es- 
t.  Hshed  his  government,  and  began  his  erections.  But 
nr    .y  were  the  vicissitudes  and  the  extremities  of  suf- 


"t'^' 


*^.-»' 


LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.  L. 


341 


er  Tasman 
ght  of  this 
named  it, 
iitch  India, 
or  harbors 
from  the 
tly   sought 
his  log,  he 
lim  to  des- 
ight  of  the 
ged;  where 
nings  glovv- 
der,  storm, 
horror,  and 
r  navigators 
t  little  was 
le  last  con- 
found it  **a 
d  by  hurri- 

en  regarded 
ban  that  to 
icnt  of  Bot- 
thc  condign 
s.''  When 
IS,  in  1804, 
id  fifty  ma- 
e  landed  at 
here  he  es- 
3ctions.  But 
itics  of  suf- 


fering  he  endured,  before  any  part  of  their  plans  could 
be  accomplished,  so  deplorable  was  the  scarcity  of 
natural  fruit  or  food  to  sustain  life.  It  was,  therefore, 
two  years  before  they  had,  for  occupancy,  a  jail,  a 
government  house,  a  soldier's  barracks,  an  inn,  and  a 
custom  house — until  which  were  constructed,  all  else 
was  neglected.  Kangaroo's  flesh  sold,  at  one  period, 
"or  36  cents  ;^^t  pound,  notwithstanding  the  interior 
abounded  with  various  species  of  this  animal;  but 
the  colonists  were  deterred  from  pursuing  them  by  a 
fear  of  the  natives,  who,  although  they  had  not,  as  yet, 
exhibited  any  savage  propensities,  were  regarded,  from 
the  hideousness  of  their  appearance,  as  '^semi  demons," 
being  of  a  dark  complexion,  with  a  large  woolly  head, 
low  squat  figure,  short  but  broad  face,  flat  nose,  high 
cheek  bones,  and  a  restless  eye,  living  in  a  perfect 
state  of  nudity  and  filth;  and  being  perhaps,  as  igno- 
rant and  destitute  a  ru  ^e,  as  could  be  found  on  the  face 
of  the  earth. 

After  three  years  of  severe  toil  and  destitution,  Col- 
lins seems  to  have  first  entertained  the  idea  of  culti- 
vating the  soil,  to  test  its  capability  of  producing  the 
necessary  supply  of  bread  stuffs.  The  result  was  flat- 
tering, and  exaggerated  reports  brought  fresh  supplies 
of  emigrants  from  New  South  Wales,  and  even  Eng- 
land, as  well  as  greater  numbers  of  prisoners,  as  gen- 
eral laborers  for  the  government  and  the  settlers;  who 
performed  all  the  work  without  pay,  or  any  kind  of 
remuneration,  save  a  small  portion  of  coarse  food,  and 
a  bad  supply  of  clothing.  When  agriculture  was 
found  not  only  available,  but  efficient;  it  was  entered 


I 


('' 


;', 


ni 


v> 


Is 


ff/f 


h-  1 


■ 


-m 


jf 


•^i| 
.^1!^ 


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f," 


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i 


342 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


into  with  such  avidity,  and  to  so  great  an  extent,  that 
produce  became  a  drug;  and,  therefore,  other  employ- 
ments were  sought,  and  other  means  of  investment 
found,  in  the  gradual  introduction  of  stock.  Another 
discovery,  also  tended  greatly  to  the  necessity  of  adop- 
ting this  new  source  of  wealth.  The  soil,  when  worn 
by  three  or  four  successive  crops,  utterly  failed  in  re- 
alizing the  hopes  of  the  cultivator;  consequently  the 
great  numbers  drawn  hither  from  England,  by  the 
exaggerated  reports,  industriously  circulated,  filled  ^vith 
golden  dreams,  found  themselves  frustrated  in  Iheir 
expectations,  and  could  only  resort  to  the  alternative 
of  grazing,  without  however,  any  regard  to  the  growth 
of  wool,  which  did  not,  until  a  few  years  past,  become 
an  article  of  ci     fierce. 

As  soon  as  \  an  Dicman's  Land  was  pronounced, 
by  the  British  government,  open  for  emigrants,  every 
sort  of  inducement  was  held  out  in  England,  to 
incite  a  tide  thither.  The  concentration  of  wealth 
was  desirable;  therefore,  an  acre  of  land,  selected  by 
the  settlers  at  will,  was  offered  for  every  pound  Ster- 
ling, in  money  or  property,  brought  into  the  country — 
every  article  being  appraised  according  to  its  value 
here,  and  a  schedule  by  the  owner  always  taken,  as 
proof  of  possession.  The  consequence  was,  the  lo- 
cation to  single  individuals,  of  immense  tracts  of  land 
— for  instance,  the  estate  I  now  date  from,  consists  of 
50,000  acres,  and  has,  at  this  time,  a  stock  of  14,000 
sheep — 1,500  head  of  horned  cattle,  and  seven  hun-. 
dred  horses;  but  to  return.  This  of  course,  had  the 
effect  of  erccting  a  state  of  aristocratic  independence, 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.  L. 


34:i 


cxtonl,  that 
her  employ- 
investment 
i.     Another 
sity  ofadop- 
when  worn 
failed  in  rc- 
quently  the 
and,  by  the 
id,  filled  vvith 
ted  in  Lheir 
alternative 
o  the  growth 
past,  become 

pronounced, 
grants,  every 
England,  to 
n  of  wealth 

selected  by 

pound  Ster- 
le  country — 

to  its  value 
rs  taken,  as 
was,  the  lo- 
•acts  of  land 
I,  consists  of 
;k  of  14,000 

seven  hun- 
rse,  had  the 
dependence, 


little  inferior  to  England's  lordlings;  and  those  men, 
not  paying  any  thing  for  labor,  could  not  fail  in  reali- 
zing vast  amounts  of  local  property;  and,  consequent- 
ly, becoming  nominally  wealthy;  but  to  be  brief,  one 
governor  supplanted  another,  until  the  reins  fell  into 
the  tyrannical  hands  of  our  cl-dcvant  Governor  Arthur, 
who  drew  them  so  taughfly,  that  many  of  the  prison 
population  fled  to  the  woods — choosing  to  seek  a  pre- 
carious existence  by  plunder  and  robbery,  or  an  un- 
molified  death,  amid  rocks  and  gum  trees,  rather  than 
submit  to  his  high  handed  control. 


# 


[The  consequences  of  Arthur's  despotism,  arc  for- 
cibly detailed  in  the  following  note,  given  me  by  a 
gentleman  who  had  acted  during  many  years  in  Ho- 
barttown,  for  the  American  consulate,  of  Sidney,  where 
1  became  acquainted  with  him;  and  who  now  resides 
in  Boston.  On  a  visit  to  the  west  he  called  upon  me 
in  Buffalo,  last  autumn;  and  after  hearing  some  of  my 
manuscript,  handed  me  this  note,  which  I  substitute  for 
this  part  of  the  original  letter.] 

'^Buflalo,  November,  1843. 
*'My  Dear  Sir: 

*'l  desire  to  assure  yon,  that  I  fully  corroborate  all  you  eay,  in 
the  manuscript  you  read  me,  relative  to  the  government  and  island 
of  V.  D.  L,,  where  I  resided  for  twelve  years.  I  was  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  administration  of  Col.  George  Arthur,  and 
himself,  particularly.  During  his  governorship  of  thirteen  years, 
in  V.  D.  L.,  he  signed  the  death  warrant  ior  fifteen  hundred  and 
eight  persons,  only  eight  of  whom  were  saved  from  the  gallows, 
by  being  sent  to  a  penal  settlement,  and  doomed  to  a  life  of  toil, 
in  irons,  far  worse  than  death.  I  have  seen  nine  hanging  on  the 
same  scaffold  at  the  same  time,  and  fourteen  in  one  week.  I  beard 
Judge  Montague,  while  on  the  bench,  charging  a  military  jury,  and 


I 


f^ 


344 


LETTEllB    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


>     ,t 


.'  H 


'-V 


\-l 


m^ 


.      ■  * 


■ :  J 


^t  •  * 


tho  Attorney  Gcncrnl,  E.  McDownl,  wbilo  plondiiig  for  the  crown, 
eny,  that  'any  number  ot'witneeses  like  tbcso,  [such  nn  wero  then 
giving  testimony,]  could  he  procured  for  n  IjotUe  of  rum,  or  a  half 
crown  each,  to  bring  home  to  any  person  in  Ibc  Colony,  any  crime 
that  nngbt  be  laid  <o  bis  ebargo. '  I  also  saw  two  natives  execu- 
ted, after  having  imdergone  a  mock  trial,  without  the  least  con- 
flciouanossof  what  would  bo  the  result  of  what  was  going  on.  *  * 
*"1  have  the  honor  to  be,  My  Dear  Sir, 

"Your'p,  Obedienlly, 
"JESSE  MORRELL. 
"Mr.  B.  Wait." 

These  fifteen  hundred  executions  took  place  on  a 
scaffold  ho  had  erected  in  sight  of  his  own  divelling; 
and,  oh!  what  a  sumptuous  treat  it  must  have  been  for 
his  hateful  soul,  as  he  took  his  morning  airing  upon 
his  piazza,  to  have  gloated  upon  those  distorted  bodies, 
as  they  hung  suspended  from  the  * 'lofty  gallows"  for 
the  whole  day,  a  spectacle  for  every  eye.  The  execu- 
tions invariably  took  place  at  a  very  early  hour,  and 
the  first  intimation  to  the  citizens  was  a  sight  of 
the  corpses  swinging  in  the  winds.  I  must  leave  it 
for  you  to  imagine  what  the  crimes  of  these  victims 
were,  for  I  cannot  tell;  neither  could  many  of  the  citi- 
zens, for  secrecy  was  an  essential  part  of  his  summary 
government. 

These  arbitrary  proceedings  were  not  the  only 
bloody  marks  of  his  ensanguined  administration;  for 
the  range  he  permitted  the  convict  shepherds  and  stock- 
keepers,  resident  on  the  interior  runs,  to  give  to  their 
brutal,  diabolical  passions,  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  seemingly  harmless  aborigines,  together  with  tho 
insult  offered  to  them  by  a  formal  execution  of  two  of 
their  number,  produced  a  horrid  scene  of  savage  bar- 


• 


! ; . 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


315 


barity  on  the  part  of  the  native,  and  of  exterminating 
fury  on  tliu  part  of  Arthur.  Various  plans  wore  re- 
sorted to  by  the  Governor,  to  cflect  his  purposes, 
against  the  lives  and  liberty  of  these  foresters;  and  so 
eflcctivc  were  they,  tliat  out  of  the  six  tliousand  who 
were  known  to  roam  at  large,  over  the  mountains  and 
rocks  of  V.  D.  L.,  in  search  of  the  game  of  the  forest, 
or  to  dig  the  native  bread*  on  its  plains,  only  eighty 
now  remain;  and  they  are  prisoners,  cooped  up  on  a 
small  island,  where  they  are  continually  dwindling 
away,  so  that  a  few  years  will  entomb  the  last  of  the 
Tasmanian  natives,  and  the  race  will  live  no  more, 
save  on  the  page  of  the  historiographer,  or  in  the  mem- 
ories of  those  in  whose  breasts  their  wrongs  have  ex- 
cited a  kind  sympathy,  or  a  disgust  for  that  power  which 
deals  treacherously  with  the  aborigines  of  every  clime 
it  visits. 

The  system  of  police  established  by  Col.  Arthur,  is 
managed  on  the  principle  k^^  "set  a  rogue  to  catch  a 
rogue,"  and  has  been  mainly  effective  in  preventing 
extended  connexions  for  plunder,  and  in  bringing  to 
the  gallows,  and  into  other  punishments,  thousands  of 
innocent  beings.  When  this  Governor  was  recalled, 
bonfires,  the  firing  of  cannon,  guns,  and  various  oth- 
er demonstrations  of  joy,  were  kept  up  for  ten  succes- 
sive days  and  nights,  while  a  respectable  delegation 
was  sent  to  read  to  him  an  address,  expressive  of  the 
most  unbounded  pleasure,  for  the  final  delivery  from 
his'long  continued  mal-administration. 

*A  sort  of  ball  that  is  found  in  the  earth,  without  vegetation, 
to  the  size  of  from  a  quart  bowl  to  that  of  a  man's  head,  poeees- 
sing,  when  steamed,  nearly  the  flavor  of  boiled  rice. 


:»> 


H 


I      ;, 


340 


LETTKR8    FROM    V.   D.L. 


Arthur  was  succcodod  by  tlio  noted  navigator,  Sir 
John  Franklin,  a  very  old  man,  whoso  imbecility  gives 
the  designing  members  of  his  govcrmnent,  an  opportu- 
nity for  riding,  *M'ough  shod,  'over  the  citizens.  JJut 
hero  1  ought  to  draw  the  line  of  charity;  or  rather,  of 
oblivion;  for,  of  late,  he  has  manifested  an  unconnnon 
feeling  of  kindness  and  solicitude  for  mo,  incited  to 
such  good  wishes  by  the  numerous  papers  sent  him 
from  England,  through  friendly  feelings  for  Mrs.  Wait, 
by  very  many  generous  individuals,  pleading  for  my 
welfare.  lie  has  personally  informed  me  of  liis  es- 
teem and  determination  to  render  me  every  favor  in 
his  power,  when  Mrs.  Wait  arrives.  Ilo  has  spoken 
of  having  received  communications  from  William  II. 
^  ,,^  Mcrrilt,  Esq.,  and  has  written  him,  in  reply,  that  ho 
would  grant  mo  every  indulgence,  consistent  with  his 
duty,  as  Governor.  1  certairdy  feel  thankful  to  him, 
but  more  so  to  Mr.  Merritt,  to  wiiom  I  beg  you  will 
tender  the  best  wishes  of  a  sincerely  grateful  heart. 

The  prospects  of  this  Colony  are  now  getting  very 
bad;  for  the  year  1840,  there  were  Gazetted,  on  an 
average,  eighteen  bankruptcies  for  each  week.  Indeed 
these  are  times,  all  over  the  world,  that  will  try  the 
foundation  of  every  man's  wealth.  Perhaps  it  is  right, 
for  too  long  has  false  capital  and  nominal  riches  had 
the  ascendancy.  The  speculative  mania  must  yield  to 
sober  steady  industry,  and  real  wealth,  before  affairs 
can  again  assume  a  healthy  and  prosperous  aspect 
here  or  elsewhere. 

The  commerce  of  Hobarttown  has,  of  late  years, 
been  of  considerable  importance  to  America,  as  the 


r^'.; 


LETTKRS    PROM    V.   D.   \.. 


347 


l^ostoniaiiH  havo  inuiid  a  ready  market,  yearly,  Ibr  se- 
veral ship  loads  of  n<jur,  lobaeeo,  cigars,  Now  Eng- 
land rum,  timber,  cabinet  ware;,  dried  fruits,  staves, 
biscuit,  and  almost  every  Vaiikoc  commodity,  ex- 
cepting wooden  luims^  wooden  cheese^  and  such  iroods. 
American  pork,  beef,  butter,  and  cheese,  meet  a  ready 
sale,  much  advance  of  the  New  York  and  Doston  pri- 
ces. I  havo  eaten  flour  from  barrels  bearing  the  Gene- 
see, Rochester,  and  Michigan,  brands,  18,000  miles 
from  the  pi;  co  of  its  mai  ufactury,  bought  at  nine  dol- 
lars; but  am  sorry  to  .say,  1  never  founil  it  in  a  good 
state  of  preservation,  being  always  sour  or  musty, 
perhaps  rendered  so  by  sw.ating  in  crossing  the  "/me" 
or  by  being  too  closely  vj'i'Ked. 

The  free  popuh  ''^n  of  the  v 'jolo  island,  numbers 
about  50,000,  of  wh«>m  near  twenty  thousand  were 
transported  convicts,  hut  now  are  free  f?v:^),i  servitude  or 
indulgence.  The  amount  of  convicts,  both  male  and 
female,  who  ore  still  prisoners,  no  better  than  slaves, 
is  about  22,000;  and  arrangements  have  been  made  to 
bring  to  the  colony  10,000  more,  during  the  year  of 
1842,  with  an  equal  number  of  free.  The  proportion 
of  female  convicts,  is  about  one  third;  and  of  the  free 
about  C!n*  half.  Thus,  we  have  a  population  for  V. 
D.  L.,  of  free  males,  33,500 — of  free  females,  10,500 
— of  male  prisoners,  14,700 — of  female  convicts,  7,000 
"-making  in  the  aggregate,  72,000  inhabitants,  or  hu- 
man beings,  for  22,000  cannot  be  termed  inhahitanfSt 
that  is,  if  we  attach  any  other  meaning  to  the  word, 
than  "mere  dwellers."  We  also  see,  that  42,000  of 
the  persons  on  the  island  were  transported  thither,  be- 


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348 


LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.  L. 


ing  convicted  of  crimes  of  some  shade.  Dr.  Ross  (the 
publisher  of  an  almanac  and  government  paper  in  Ho- 
barttown,  for  a  number  of  years,)  says,  *'they  are 
criminals,  selected  from  the  worst  offenders  at  home; 
not  only  the  worst  characters  that  England  could  pro- 
duce in  a  year,  but  they  are  actually  the  worst  that  can 
be  taken  in  an  accumulation  of  several  years;  amount- 
ing to  no  less  than  220,000."  And  add  to  this  state- 
ment, the  fact  of  V.  D.  L.  yet  remaining  a  receptacle 
for  New  South  Wales  offenders — doubly  convicts — a 
set  of  characters,  it  must  be  presumed,  not  very  likely 
to  shake  off*  habits  of  immorality,  intemperance,  crime 
and  gross  venality.  Imagine  for  a  moment  the  extent 
of  this  mass  of  crime  and  infamy,  and  then  say  what 
you  think  of  the  state  of  society  it  must  engender. 
But  this  is  not  all;  I  must  still  speak  of  the  female 
portion  of  this  number  of  beings.  The  disproportion 
of  females  to  the  males,  induced  the  government  to  in- 
struct the  commissioners  for  emigration,  to  send  out 
a  further  supply,  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and 
thirty.  A  ship  was  therefore  taken  up,  and  crowded 
with  two  hundred  women,  the  majority  of  whom  were 
indigent,  unprincipled  wretches,  taken  from  the  broth- 
els and  streets  of  London.  Other  ships  followed  from 
Dublin,  Cork,  Liverpool  and  Edinburgh,  freighted  in 
like  manner;  and,  besides,  a  free  passage  was  provi- 
ded for  all  the  wives  and  families  of  prisoners  who  had 
been  in  the  colony  at  least  a  sufficient  time  to  become 
acquainted  with  the  mode  of  labor  there.  Here,  then, 
we  will  find,  that,  of  the  sixteen  and  a  half  thousand 
free  females,  at  least  two  thirds  were,  originally,  but 


/r4 


LETTERS    FROM    V.  D.   L. 


349 


little  better  than  the  transported  convicts.  I  have 
been  acquainted  with  a  number  of  these  bounty  emi- 
grant women,  and  I  fain  would  close  my  eyes  against 
the  truth,  and  restrain  my  pen  from  writing  it,  but  am 
constrained  to  say,  what  I  have  repeatedly  heard, 
from  the  best  individuals  here,  "that  female  virtue  is 
rarely  known  in  Van  Dieman's  Land."  God  preserve 
us  from  the  contaminating  influence  of  the  society 
amid  which  we  are  unhappily  thrown!  must  be  the 
prayer  of  all  true  Americans  who  know  our  situation 

here. 

I  remain,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  &;c.  &c. 

[For  a  concise  and  brief  description  of  the  surface 
of  the  country  and  its  adaptation  to  agriculture,  I  would 
point  the  reader  to  the  map  I  have  been  enabled  to 
embody,  and  the  following  brief  extracts  from  a  letter 
written  late  in  1841  to  Mrs.  Wait.] 


LETTER  XXIV. 


Mount  Seymour,  Sept.  1841. 
My  Dear  Maria: 

#  *  *  *  #  Yqjj  Dicman's  Land  is  a  small,  rock  bound, 
mountainous  island,  exhibiting  a  surface  of  24,000  square  miles, 
or  fifteen  millions  of  acres,  between  the  parallels  of  41  deg.  20 
min.  S.,  and  the  meridians  of  144  deg.  40  min.  and  148  deg.  20 
min.  E.,  while  its  greatest  extent  is  210  by  150  miles.  It  lies  di- 
rectly south  of  New-Holland,  and  is  divided  from  it  by  a  narrow 
channel,  called  Bass  Straits.  Indeed,  it  was,  long  after  its  disco- 
very, considered  the  south  extremity  of  that  vast  island  or  continent 
New  Holland;    and  not  until  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century, 


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350 


LKTTERS    FR0:M    V.  D.  L. 


was  it  known  to  be  a  separate  island.  Hobarttown,  (now  fash- 
ionably written  Hobarton,)  is  situated  on  the  river  Derwcnt,  in 
the  south-eastern  part  of  the  island,  about  forty  miles  from  the 
sea.  There  are  two  pneeac'es  by  which  this  river  may  be  entered, 
separating  fifteen  miles  from  Hobarttown.  The  eastern  is  the 
safest  and  less  difficult,  being  nearly  straight,  very  wide,  and  de- 
void of  rocks  and  shonls,  while  the  other  is  very  tortuous,  full  of 
rocks  and  banks,  though  wide  and  seemingly  easy  of  access.  The 
river,  at  the  town,  nll'ords  as  fine,  safe  and  commodious  a  harbor  as 
there  is,  pcrlinps,  in  the  world,  abounding  with  fine  fish. 

Hobarttown  lies  spread  over  a  square  mile  of  rising  ground,  and 
is  well  located  for  business,  and  romantic  views.  It  is  beautifully 
laid  out,  with  etrccts  intersecting  at  right  angles,  and  from  its 
center,  may  bo  had  a  full  view  of  the  river,  harbor,  shipping  and 
docks,  with  Iho  bustle  of  men  and  drays  continually  engaged  upon 
them,  enlivening  the  scene,  and  giving  it  an  important  appearance. 
But,  alas!  hero  to  darken  the  picture,  near  the  dock,  you  cannot 
but  observe  a  mass  of  beings,  dressed  in  magpie  (black  and  yellow) 
clothes,  with  chains  coupling  the  legs  together,  digging  down  the 
bank  and  carting  the  earth  away  to  the  water's  edge,  to  form  new 
docks  and  more  extended  warehouses.  In  one  of  the  streets  near 
by,  you  also  observe  another  of  those  magpie  companies,  sitting 
upon  piles  of  small  etonc  with  a  small  hammer  in  the  hand,  break- 
ing them  for  nmcadnmizing  the  streets. 

The  extended  view  across  the  Derwent,  presents  a  prospect  of 
bold  desolation.  Nothing  is  seen  but  hills  on  hills,  rising  in  quick 
succession,  one  above  the  other,  clad  to  their  summits  with  tall 
dusky  topped  trees,  with  white  stems,  which  give  them  a  forbidding 
appearance.  Behind  the  town,  is  Mount  Wellington,  with  a  bold 
and  blufi' front,  rearing  its  head  to  the  very  clouds,  four  thousand 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  apparently  overhanging  the  town, 
though  three  miles  distant.  From  this  mountain  flows  a  murmur- 
ing rivulet,  turning,  in  its  course,  several  flour  mills,  and  some 
other  machinery,  while  it  supplies  the  only  fresh  water  the  inha- 
bitants use. 

The  town  contains  a  number  of  very  imposing  edifices,  consist- 
ing principally  of  churches,  with  a  few  public  buildings.    I  should 


:i\ 


LETTERS  FROM    V.   D.   L. 


:35l 


imngine  there  were  seven  thousand  free  inhabitants;  I  cannot  speak 
from  knowledge,  1841  is  the  first  year  an  accurate  census  has  been 
attempted,  and  it  meets  a  decided  opposition,  as  it  is  done  with  a 
view  to  taxation — yet  seven  thousand  is  the  computation  of  a 
number  of  the  best  judges. 

The  animals  consist,  principally,  of  the  kangaroo  and  oppossum 
species,  with  a  few  others;  and  the  birds,  of  a  vast  variety  of  the 
parrot  and  cockatoo  family,  with  the  rnagpie,  jackass,  (a  singing 
bird,)  the  emu,  (vei^  much  like  the  ostrich,)  and  the  large  black 
swan,  (the  most  beautifully  plumnged  bird  I  ever  saw.) 

The  land  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Derwcnt,  for  fifty  miles  above 
Hobarttown,  is  adapted  to  cultivation  only  for  a  narrow  strip  of 
four  miles  in  width:  and  this  will  scarcely  produce  sufficient  to 
pay  the  cultivator.  The  soil  has  become  so  dry  and  arid,  that  the 
observer,  if  he  has  never  passed  but  in  the  dry  season,  cannot  sup- 
pose there  is  any  vegetation  whatever — every  thing  being  parched 
up.  Indeed,  during  the  harvest  months,  nothing  but  the  "grain 
ripened  for  the  sickle,''  is  apparent;  and  that  has  a  sickly  appear- 
ance. This  narrow  strip  is  bounded  by  towering  hills,  and  lofty 
mountains  in  the  distance,  with  occasional  small  vallics  between, 
containing  from  five  to  ten  thousand  acres,  which  afford  wild  runs 
for  sheep  and  cattle,  and  a  small  spot  for  a  farm  location.  These 
are  not  very  contiguous  to  each  other — an  isolated  farmstead  be- 
ing often  ten  miles  over  a  mountain  from  any  other. 

The  east  side  of  the  Dcrwent  presents  to  the  eye,  nothing  but 
imposing  mountains,  covered  with  forest  trees  of  the  Eucalyptis 
Sjiccies,  commonly  called  black  and  white  gum,  stringy  bark,  and 
peppermint,  with  the  bankseakind,  consisting  of  wattle,  bankseo, 
oak,  (male  and  female,)  honey  suckle,  blnckv»'Ood,  and  cherry.* 

Not  more  than  two-fifths  of  the  whole  island  can  be  considered 
arable  land,  and  much  of  that  is  of  inferior  soil,  never  producing 
any  crops  without  irrigation,  for  which  mix'h  of  the  country  is 
tolerably  well  situated — there  being  large  lakes  or  reservoirs  on 


*What  this  tree  takes  its  name  from,  is  the  fact  of  its  bearing  a 
sort  of  cherry,  that  ia  about  the  size  of  a  common  field  pea> 
perfectly  transparent,  with  the  pit,  (n  hard  stony  substance,  as 
large  as  the  fruit,)  on  the  outward  extremity,  where,  with  our 
cherry,  the  bloeeom  commonly  hangs. 


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352 


LETTERS    FROM    V.   D.   L. 


the  tops  of  the  highest  mountains,  seemingly  placed  there  with 
a  design,  for  future  irrigation.  It  was  a  custom  with  the  natives 
to  set  fire  to  the  woods  in  every  part  of  the  island,  during  the  dry 
season,  which  ran  through  with  the  utmost  rapidity,  driving  the 
kangaroo  before  it  to  a  concentrated  point,  where  they  could  be 
taken  with  the  greatest  facility — when  the  oppossuin,  too,  could 
be  picked  up  any  where  within  the  burnt  districts,  ready  roasted — 
affording  along  supply  of  food  for  the  natives,  while  the  fire,  hol- 
lowing out  the  trunks  of  the  largest  trees,  furnished  huts  ready 
constructed,  without  trouble,  and  gave  to  the  forest  the  singular 
appearance  of  a  group  of  "dancing  trees,"  or  the  ''largest  gums 
standing  on  legs." 

These  fires  have  consumed  all  the  small  timber  and  underwood, 
which  gives  the  natural  vegetation  (weeds  and  a  sort  of  wire-grass 
with  a  fuzzy  head,  called  kangaroo  grass)  an  opportunity  for  spring- 
ing up,  and  upon  which  the  sheep  and  cattle  subsist.  Nothing 
grows  naturally  to  any  degree  of  luxuriance.  This  can  be  inferred 
from  the  fact  of  its  requiring  two  acres  for  the  support  of  one 
breeding  ewe.  The  soil,  when  in  its  virgin  state,  yields  abun- 
dantly, for  the  three  first  crops;  but  successive  ones  are  wholly 
failures.  Clover  and  English  grass  never  grow  exuberantly  ex- 
cept on  irrigated  land.  Potatoes  are  produced  in  considerable 
plenty,  but  in  the  midland  districts,  are  often  cut  off  by  the  early 
frosts.  Wheat,  also,  is  frequently  blasted  by  the  frosts,  when  in 
bloom.  I  have  seen  a  large  field  of  wheat,  reflecting  the  rays  of 
the  evening  sun  in  splendid  healthiness,  and  blooming  vigor,  giv- 
ing hopes  of  an  abundant  harvest;  but  that  same  field,  in  the  next 
morning's  sun,  exhibited  a  blackened  aspect,  while  the  mid-day 
heat  turned  the  whole  to  a  perfect  white.  The  scythe  was  imme- 
diatel/ put  in,  and  what  would  have  been  u  fine  crop,  in  a  short 
half  month,  was  then  but  a  whitened  field  of  poor  fodder.  Oats 
and  barley  form  the  principal  products,  and  seldom  fail;  turnips, 
mangehvurzel,  and  rape,  are  sown  on  low  or  irrigated  soils,  with 
success. 

Originally,  the  valleys  between  the  numerous  mountains,  were 
filled  with  lagoons,  or  small  fresh  water  lakes,  s(  m?  ten  or  twelve 
miles  in  circimiference,  without  any  apparent  outlets.  They 
were  natural  reservoirs  for  the  waters,  rushing  from  the  hills,  with 


% 


'  placed  there  with 
im  with  the  natives 
nnd,  during  the  dry 
npidity,  driving  the 
here  they  could  be 
possum,  too,  could 
cts,  ready  roasted — 
while  the  fire,  hol- 
rnished  huts  ready 
3  forest  the  singular 
the  "largest  gums 

3er  and  underwood, 
a  sort  of  wire-grass 
jortunity  for  spring- 
I  subsist.  Nothing 
This  can  be  inferred 
the  support  of  one 
state,  yields  abun- 
re  ones  are  wholly 
w  exuberantly  ex- 
:ed  in  considerable 
cut  off  by  the  early 
Ihe  frosts,  when  in 
fleeting  the  rays  of 
looming  vigor,  giv- 
tie  field,  in  the  next 
while  the  mid-day 
3  scythe  was  imme- 
ne  crop,  in  a  short 
poor  fodder.  Oats 
tldom  fail;  turnips, 
rri gated  soils,  with 

LIS  mountains,  were 
scmo  ten  or  twelve 
nt  outlets.  They 
from  the  hills,  with 


353 

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tierly, 
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lected 
called 
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heads 
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LETTERS    PROM    V.  D.  L. 


353 


•M-Ma,,,, 


^^ 


V.  D.  L." 


which  they  aro  surrounded.  But  what  netonishea  all  the  natural- 
ists who  have  visited  the  Island  within  the  last  five  years,  is  the 
total  disappearance  of  all  the  water  from  the  most  of  these  reser- 
voirs, without  any  perceptible  cause  or  visible  passages  for  dis- 
charge, while  the  lakes  on  the  mountains  remain  full. 

There  are  a  few  rivers  of  considerable  magnitude  rising  in  the 
interior,  and  gradually  increasing  until  they  fall  into  the  sea,  nav- 
igable only  a  short  distance  from  their  mouths;  and  some  second- 
ary ones,  rising  amid  the  hills  and  running,  with  a  torf  utous  course, 
through  the  interior,  sometimes  with  impetuosity  between  two 
parallel  hills,  then  losing  themselves  for  miles  over  vast  flats  with- 
out channel,  fertilizing  them  to  be  again  collected  for  an  egress  by 
the  near  approach  of  two  collateral  ridges.  At  Inst,  after  a  circuit 
of  many  miles,  they  find  their  way  to  the  "greedy  sen,"  but  little 
larger  than  where  they  first  originated.  These  are  always  dry 
during  the  warm  seasons,  except  in  small  pools,  which  the  stock 
breeder  is  compelled  to  dig  in  their  beds,  to  keep  a  supply  of  water 
on  his  run. 

All  partsof  the  country  appear  to  have  been  visited,  formerly, 
by  these  mountain  streams,  which  have,  seemingly,  disjoined  the 
hills  that  otherwise  would  have  formed  extensive  chains,  connected 
throughout  the  Island.  There  are  two  extended  ranges,  called 
the  Eastern  and  Western,  running  parallel  to  each  other  across 
the  country;  while  hundreds  of  inferior  mounts  rear  their  heads 
in  mimic  grandeur  on  either  side,  and  between  them,  as  if  to  rival 
their  neighbors,  if  not  in  noble  magnificence  and  bold  appearance, 
at  least  in  scenic  beauty  and  diversity  of  character.  A  more  stri- 
kingly magnificent  spot,  as  viewed  from  Mount  Seymour,  whore 
I  now  stand,  500  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  could  not  be 
found  in  any  country,         *         *         # 

I  am  at  this  height,  on  a  pic-nic  party;  and  while  others  are 
enjoying  the  joke,  the  bottle,  and  laughter,  I  amuse  myself  more 
rationally,  by  describing  to  you,  my  love,  the  scenes,  a  view  of 
which  would,  if  you  were  present,  produce  enthusiastic  delight; 
but  now  all  is  steril,  and  enjoyment  almost  a  blank.     *     *     * 

Alfectionately  your's. 


B. 


23 


•     '  ^ 


U^A  ■: 


,  ,  ,         ,  . 


Mi 


hv 


354 


CONCLUSION. 


CONCLUSION. 


In  closing  this  volume,  I  fain  would  name  and  do 
honor  to  the  benevolent  Americans  who  delivered  me 
from  the  horrors  of  slavery,  but  am  compelled  to  pass 
slightly  over  the  affair,  for  fear  of  ill  consequence  to 
my  benefactors,  who  are  again  on  a  whaling  voyage, 
and,  most  probably,  will  visit  the  same  port  for  re- 
freshments; when,  should  the  authorities  be  aware  of 
the  fact,  they  would  be  liable  to  a  heavy  penalty;  for, 
under  the  present  harbor  laws,  "the  master  of  any  ves- 
sel, making  a  port  of  V.  D.  L.,  under  whatever  pre- 
text, must  report  every  circumstance  connected  with 
her  cargo,  and  muster  all  her  men  in  presence  of  a 
harbor  master,  who  will  visit  her.         #  #  # 

Also,  he  shall  make  the  day  of  sailing  known,  so  that 
a  District  constable,  with  his  posse^  may  visit  the  ohip 
and  search  her  thoroughly,  with  a  view  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  prisoners  on  ship  board;  who  will  remain 
until  the  anchor  is  tripped,  and  the  sails  shook  out, 
when  the  papers  shall  be  given  to  the  master,  and  the 
vessel  to  the  pilot,  who  will  see  her  beyoiiu  the  heads 
before  dismissing  her.  #  #  *  ^^d  fur- 
ther, should  any  fugitive  *  be  found  secreted,  by  the 
knowledge  of  the  master,  the  vessel  shall  be  detained 
until  he  shall  have  paid  a  penalty  of  fifteen  hundred 
pounds  sterling;  otherwise  she  shall  be  forfeited  and 
sold."  #  #  *  These  laws  are,  indeed,  so 
strict,  that  but  very  £ow  ever  succeed  in  such  attempts 
at  escape;  yet  many  try  it,  not,  however,  by  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  master.  Notwithstanding  the  almost  im- 
possibility of  getting  away,  Mr.  Chandler  and  myself, 
both  being  employed  on  one  farm,  had  early  formed 
the  design  of  flying  from  our  prison,  at  the  first  op- 
portunity; but  did  not  very  soon  find  ourselves  prop- 
erly situated  for  it.     In  August,  of  1841,  as  before  re- 


CONCLUSION. 


355 


lated,  wc  received  the  ticket  of  leave,  with  which  we 
were  enabled  to  change  our  residence  without  suspi- 
cion, and  lay  by  funds  against  a  time  of  need;  we 
were,  therefore,  ready  to  take  advantage  of  the  intel- 
ligence communicated,  by  newspapers,  of  there  being, 
in  the  port  of  Hobart,  several  American  ships;  among 
whom,  we  hoped,  one  might  bo  found,  who  possessed 
sympathy  sufficient  to  assist  us  in  quitting  the  island. 
With  that  view,  Mr.  C.  procured  a  *'pass''  for  ten 
days  absence,  and  proceeded  to  town,  where  he  was 
not  disappointed  in  his  trust  to  the  warm  hearted  Ame- 
rican seamen.  He  made  the  arrangements,  and  re- 
turned; when  certain  circumstances  enabled  us  to  be 
absent  for  two  weeks  without  exciting  mistrust. 

I  therefore  went  direct  to  the  police  office  and  ob- 
tained a  "pass"  for  Hobart,  where  we  spent  Christ- 
mas in  safe  seclusion;  and  soon  after,  hiring  a  small 
whale  boat,  in  which,  under  the  disguise  of  a  party 
for  fishing,  (no  one  taking  us  for  prisoners)  wo  put  to 
sea,  for  the  purpose  of  evading  the  consequences  of 
the  strict  "harbor  laws,"  with  the  spot  designated, 
where  we  could  be  found;  yet  it  was  not  until  after 
we  had  been  tossed  about  for  several  days,  in  danger, 
destitution,  and  extreme  anxiety,  that  the  proper  ship 
picked  us  up  ^'•in  distress^'  and  afforded  us  comforta- 
ble berths  in  the  cabin,  where  we  found  genuine 
American  hospitality  reigning;  and,  favored  by  a  kind 
Providence,  we  were,  after  seven  months,  permitted  to 
hail,  with  unsurpassed  delight,  the  gladsome  shores  of 
free  America — ever  an  asylum  for  the  oppressed.  I 
found  a  generous  welcome,  amid  the  owners  of  the 
ship,  and  the  friends  of  the  Captain  and  first  officer. 
The  latter  a  gentleman  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  from  pure 
benevolence,  accompanied  me  to  the  falls  of  Niagara, 
and  "felt  unalloyed  pleasure,  in  presenting  the  long 
absent  and  lately  emancipated  exile,  to  the  open  arms 
of  an  overjoyed  family,  after  near  four  years  absence." 


.,^.■"1^  ■- 


f  ' 


■T! 


r 


350 


CONOLITSION. 


'..     .1  \ 


'^'^ 


.'f;    I 


.,      » 


.«     '  > 


Over  the  circumstances  of  our  meeting  I  will  draw  the 
curtain  of  silence,  and  leave  the  fancy  of  the  reader  to 
portray  it,  and  then  say,  I  imagine  his  picture  short  of 
the  real — while  I  tender  the  most  unbounded  gratitude 
to  all  who  aided  in  my  flight,  and  those  who  have 
generously  ministered  to  the  aid  and  comfort  of  my 
wife,  in  her  exertions,  and  my  child,  in  her  bereave- 
ment, during  my  absence. 

After  arriving,  1  found  that  a  Mr.  Gemmcl  had 
likewise  made  his  happy  exit  from  V.  D.  L.,  a  month 
after  our  escape,  but  had  arrived  a  month  before  us. 
He  ascribes  his  good  fortune  to  the  liberty  he  obtained 
with  the  ticket  of  leave,  which  in  a  handsome  card  to 
the  public,  he  attributes  to  the  exertions  of  Mrs.  Wait. 

Now,  in  conclusion,  I  would  say  to  those  who  choose 
to  read  these  letters,  that,  by  having  already  trans- 
cended the  bounds  1  had  proposed,  by  upwards  of  fifty 
pages  of  matter,  that  will  no  doubt,  be  more  interesting, 
I  have  been  restrained  from  doing  proper  justice  to  a 
description  of.  the  country,  and  am  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  breaking  off  rather  abruptly;  yet  I  would 
intimate,  that,  at  some  future  day,  I  may  publish  some 
fugitive  sketches,  with  the  minute  details  of  my  escape 
— occurences  on  my  passage  home — chasing  and  ta- 
king whale — falling  in  with  icebergs,  gales,  storms,  and 
consequent  shipwreck — incidents  during  a  residence 
of  a  month  in  South  America,  amid  fairy  scenes  that 
baffle  description — calms  on  the  equinoctial  line,  and 
thrilling  anecdotes  of  a  whaler's  incidental  life;  none 
of  which  could  have  been  embodied  here,  as  they  are, 
of  themselves,  more  than  sufficient  for  a  volume  of 
equal  extent. 


■ '  i. 


y  .^ 


J 


LL 


ig  I  will  draw  the 
y  of  tho  reader  to 
is  picture  short  of 
joundcd  grntitudo 
tliosc  who  have 
1  comfort  of  my 
I,  in  her  be rca vo- 


ir. Gemmcl  had 
.  D.  L.,  a  month 
month  before  us. 
borty  he  obtained 
landsome  card  to 
ns  of  Mrs.  Wait, 
those  who  choose 
g  already  trans- 
upwards  of  fifty 
more  interesting, 
oper  justice  to  a 
n  under  tho  ne- 
tly;  yet  I  would 
nay  publish  some 
lils  of  my  escape 
■chasing  and  ta- 
;alcs,  storms,  and 
■ing  a  residence 
iairy  scenes  that 
loctial  line,  and 
iental  life;  none 
ere,  as  they  are, 
for  a  volume  of 


V  - 


